Pepperdine University Guide
Pepperdine University’s Instagram
The Vibe
Permanent vacation… but with studying.
What it Feels Like to Go Here
Pepperdine’s location in Malibu makes it the dream school for surfers with mythic beaches like Surfrider and Point Dume only five to ten minutes away from campus. Students here take advantage of the California weather and views by studying mostly outdoors in numerous spots with perfect overlooks on campus.
Being so close to Santa Monica and L.A., Pepperdine students have to work hard to stay focused on their studies because there are so many fun attractions and opportunities in the surrounding area: this can be both a blessing and a curse! Grad students and undergraduate students mingle on this small campus. Framed by the Malibu Canyon mountains, the Pacific Ocean isn’t the only natural feature students have to take advantage of while studying at Pepperdine. If you love to hike, surf or just sun-tan this school is a great fit for you!
Awesome Alumni
Pepperdine has many notable alumni from the entertainment industry, the sports world and politics. Chloe Lukasiak, known for her part in the reality TV series Dance Moms, graduated from Pepperdine in 2021. She has a successful YouTube account where she vlogs, including some videos about her experience at Pepperdine. Marlene King, television writer and creator of the well-known tv series Pretty Little Liars, graduated with a bachelor’s in broadcasting. Another notable film that she wrote and produced is Now and Then.
Ricardo Brown was inducted into the Pepperdine University Hall of Fame in 1995 for his commendatory basketball career. After graduating Pepperdine, he was drafted by the Houston Rockets and won the Southern California Player of the Year award in 1979. James Hahn graduated from the Los Angles campus of Pepperdine University magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in English in 1972 and went on to be the mayor of Los Angeles from 2001-2005. He now serves as a judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court and has been serving since 2008.
Where They Hang
Head to the Starbucks on campus to get caffeinated to start the day. Try to get there early because the line is usually out the door! Being so close to the ocean, most people go watch the sunset at Zuma beach. Most students have beach chairs, towels and sometimes even umbrellas stored in their dorm rooms and/or cars. The Malibu Country mart has many restaurants that are to grab lunch at between classes or grab takeout to bring to the beach. For example, Sunlife Organics has heaping acai bowls and create-your-own smoothies.
For nightlife, students either drive through Malibu Canyon to L.A. or up the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) to Santa Monica. Both are a bit of a drive but offer endless options for concerts, bars, etc. Some students even take weekend road trips to Universal Studios in L.A. or to Disneyland! One thing to note about Pepperdine is that it can be fairly quiet on the weekends. A lot of students prefer to visit home over the weekend and take a break from campus. Other students appreciate the weekend quiet-time.
Q&A
1. How much are students partying?
“Due to the dry campus rule, basically all parties are held off-campus. So, there are definitely parties to go to if you want them, but if you’re not interested, they won’t affect you at all,” Pepperdine University junior Eileen Michael said.
2. What will you get in trouble for at your school?
“If you are caught with alcohol/drugs in your freshman year, you can be barred from studying abroad [in regard to Pepperdine University being a dry campus],” Freshman psychology major Julian Horn said.
3. How much sex are students having? How is safe sex promoted on campus?
“Sex isn’t something that is highly talked about on the Pepperdine campus, as it is a Christian school. There is some stigma around the topic,” Sophomore English major Esther Barnett said.
4. What would you tell incoming freshman about your school?
“Sometimes it can feel like Pepperdine is worlds away from LA (thanks for everything LA traffic!) but find times to explore the city and the surrounding areas. Whatever you do, make sure you get out of the Pepperdine and Malibu bubble sometimes even when it seems like a trek! It’ll do you good,” Senior English major Sammie Wuensche said.
5. How strict is the administration at Pepperdine when it comes to the “dry campus” rule?
“You just have to be smart about it. People still party and hookup, and the school has rules in place that allow you to get help for someone who is in danger from drinking too much without either of you getting in trouble. They definitely encourage RA’s to write people up though if they see anything. It really comes down to how strict your RA is,” Freshman communications major Mike Peterson said.
Student Reviews
“I like the faith-based community, small class sizes and the physical environment,” Claire Walter, English major, Class of 2018 said.
“In a word, Pepperdine is niche. Depending on the student, this is either its greatest attribute or its most glaring flaw. It lacks the traditional on-campus community and buzz found at most schools. On weekends the already quiet campus is all but vacant,” Nadine Hebert, Political Science major, Class of 2015 said.
“I absolutely love Pepperdine. There is a true environment of caring community and faith-based family. It is definitely a primarily Christian education,” Gabrielle Cantrell, Business major, Class of 2021 said.
Top 3 Majors
1. Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services
2. Psychology
3. Biology
Top 3 Most Popular Student Organizations
1. PIT – Pepperdine Improv Troop
This student comedy club provides campus entertainment. Hosting open mics and talent-show coffee house performances are their specialty. Friday night PIT shows in Elkins theater are the place to be after a long week of classes.
2. College Libertarians
Known for their Free Speech wall posted in the entrance to the Dining Hall, the College Libertarians hold space for important conversations within the student body. They leave sticky notes next to the board for students to comment on their posted prompts. One of their past prompts was in about how students felt about the dining options available.
3. Alpha Omega (AO) Waves
This Christian club meets once a week in the Lighthouse and helps foster a faith community for students on campus. Their mission statement is “to love like Jesus and live like Jesus!”. This organization helps plan spiritual life events on Pepperdine’s campus. Club meetings usually involve student-led worship and opportunities to hear The Word preached.
Getting In
Besides the typical high test scores and GPAs, Pepperdine University is looking for students that have a background in service work and leadership. The university values students with high character and values, as shown through their references and personal statements / personal statements. What matters most is the student as a person rather than just their external achievements and scores. Recommendations from teachers and mentors that show a deep personal relationship built with high values and character will have the most impact on an application. Volunteer experience is another way to demonstrate personal character that Pepperdine highly prizes.
Lastly, Pepperdine is looking for students with diverse stories, backgrounds and faith experiences. To get into Pepperdine, emphasize your individual and unique story and how it would add to the community of the school.
Stats
Location: Malibu, California
Tuition & Fees: $65,990 in-state, $23,270 housing and food, $1,000 books and supplies, $500 wellness fee, $252 campus life fee, $66 loan fees, $1,000 transportation, $1,500 personal expenses
Total Cost on Campus: $93,578
Undergrads Enrolled: 3,662
Grads Enrolled: 2,666
Total Enrolled: 922
Acceptance percentage: 49%
Enrollment: 6,328
Percentage of Male Students: 42%
Percentage of Female Students: 58%
Percentage Receiving Financial Aid: 55%
