Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
Pepperdine admits about 7 in 10 applicants (67%). That puts it in the "Selective" tier, more selective than 68% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (65% and 62%).
$65 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Yield
12% of admitted students enroll, on the lower end nationally.
Wait list: 1,303 offered a place, 812 accepted, 670 admitted (83% of those who accepted)
Applying early
Offers early decision. The college doesn't publish how many apply or are admitted early.
Apply by Nov 1; decisions by Jan 10
Early decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll. Recruited athletes and other applicants with an edge often apply early, so the early rate overstates the gain for a typical applicant.
Restrictive early action (not binding): apply by Nov 1; decisions by Jan 10
Restrictive early action: applicants agree not to apply to other colleges' early plans, with exceptions the college sets.
Where you stand
How Pepperdine reads a record
and GPA are both very important; tests are important. 34% of first-years who sent test scores had a 3.75 or higher. Scores are optional. 17% of first-years sent an SAT and 8% an ACT. Most first-years were admitted without scores. Most high schools no longer rank; this college doesn't lean on it.
What they look at
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Not considered | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Important | ||||
| Essay | Very important | ||||
| Recommendations | Important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Important | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Very important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Very important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Very important | ||||
| First generation | Important | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Not considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Not considered | ||||
| State residency | Not considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Very important | ||||
| Volunteer work | Important | ||||
| Work experience | Important | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Not considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
55% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 67% of first-year applicants
842 applied · 466 admitted
Transfers may start in the fall and spring.
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: priority date January 15, apply by April 1, reply by May 1
- Spring entry: priority date October 1, apply by November 1, decisions on a rolling basis, reply by December 1
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Recommended for some
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Recommended for some
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Not required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by January 15 for fall 2026.
- Decisions are sent by April 1.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1.
Recent change: Stopped considering legacy status in fall 2024.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school GPA
Average GPA 3.57
High schools grade differently, and colleges recalculate or weight GPAs their own way, so compare this college only with itself.
First-years by high school GPA (4.0 scale)
- 4.08%
- 3.75–3.9926%
- 3.50–3.7428%
- 3.25–3.4922%
- 3.00–3.2413%
- below 3.03%
The middle half had GPAs of 3.25–3.99.
All nine bands
| GPA | Sent test scores |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 8.0% |
| 3.75–3.99 | 26.0% |
| 3.50–3.74 | 28.0% |
| 3.25–3.49 | 22.0% |
| 3.00–3.24 | 13.0% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 2.0% |
| 2.0–2.49 | 1.0% |
| 1.0–1.99 | 0.0% |
| below 1.0 | 0.0% |
Source:Pepperdine University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1335 on the SAT, 165 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students who entered in fall 2024.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
29% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1400 or higher.
55% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
Shares of the 17% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 8% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
172 studentssubmitted ACT
78 studentsRead with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:Pepperdine University (Fall 2025), Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Pepperdine University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;Pepperdine University Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Pepperdine University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)