Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University is a nonprofit Christian university whose Malibu campus brings together its traditional undergraduate college and several graduate and professional schools. Seaver College offers a residential liberal-arts education; the wider university also includes business, law, education and psychology, public policy, and health-science programs. Its Christian identity is part of campus life, and students describe a strong faculty and peer community, but the setting and costs deserve close consideration before choosing a program.

What you can study

Seaver College offers undergraduate study across the arts and sciences, business, and professional preparation, with options such as biology, communication, economics, international studies, psychology, and the fine arts. At the graduate level, the university’s schools offer programs including the MBA and specialized business master’s degrees, the J.D. and related law degrees, education and psychology programs (including the Psy.D.), and public-policy degrees such as the M.P.P. and Master of Middle East Policy Studies. The College of Health Science has added nursing pathways, including a B.S.N. and an entry-level master’s program. Some graduate and professional programs meet at a different regional campus or have hybrid and online options; use the degree and program finder to confirm the school, location, delivery format, and entry requirements for the exact degree you want.

2026–27 cost and financial aid

For new Seaver undergraduates living on campus in 2026–27, Pepperdine estimates a total cost of attendance of $99,258. That estimate includes $74,370 in tuition, $20,490 for housing and food, required fees, and estimated books, transportation, personal and loan costs. Tuition is charged at $37,185 per semester for a 12–18-unit load; actual housing, meal, health-insurance, and other charges can differ. The university publishes separate budgets for returning students, off-campus students, students living at home, and graduate schools, so the Seaver figure should not be used as the price of a master’s, law, nursing, or doctoral program. See the current undergraduate cost breakdown and request a program-specific graduate estimate where relevant.

Seaver applicants are considered for the renewable George Pepperdine Achievement Award without a separate application; published awards range from $16,000–$35,000 per year for first-year students and $5,000–$20,000 for eligible transfers. The competitive Regents Scholars awards are listed at $40,000–$45,000 annually, and the Christian Leadership Award is $5,000 per year for qualifying Church of Christ students. FAFSA applicants with demonstrated need may also be considered for Pepperdine Grant funding (up to $10,000 for first-year students and up to $25,000 for transfers) and federal or California grants. Eligibility, deadlines, renewal requirements, and stacking rules differ, and loans must be repaid. Graduate awards are handled by the respective school and can have separate criteria. Use the university’s scholarship guide and financial-aid office to compare your award with the full cost, not tuition alone.

Campuses and contact

• Malibu main campus: 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90263; (310) 506-4000. Home to Seaver College, Caruso School of Law, Graziadio Business School, Graduate School of Education and Psychology, School of Public Policy, and the College of Health Science.
• West Los Angeles Graduate Campus: Howard Hughes Center, 6100 Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045; Graduate School of Education and Psychology and Graziadio Business School.
• Calabasas Campus: 26750 Agoura Road, Calabasas, CA 91302; Graziadio Business School and Graduate School of Education and Psychology.
• Irvine Graduate Campus: Lakeshore Towers III, 18111 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, CA 92612; Graziadio Business School and Graduate School of Education and Psychology.

WSCUC also records an additional Washington, D.C. location, but Pepperdine’s current public campus directory does not provide a street address for it. Confirm the venue with your program before making travel plans. Malibu is the university’s main campus and the exact city listed for this profile. Admissions welcomes visitors by appointment; its published office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Pacific. Weekend visit resources are limited, and a visitor pass is required to park. The general university line is (310) 506-4000; undergraduate Admissions is (310) 506-4392. Use the campus-visit page to schedule a tour or virtual conversation. For current campus addresses and school contacts, consult Pepperdine’s locations directory.

What students and visitors say

Many student comments praise the coastal setting, small classes, access to professors, study-abroad opportunities, and a community that can feel close-knit. Other students say the cost is difficult to justify, nearby shopping and dining are limited, and the Malibu location can feel isolated without a car. Some also note that the university’s Christian environment is an important part of its identity and may be a better fit for students who are comfortable with that emphasis. These are individual experiences, and each school has its own culture; ask current students about your program, transit, meal plans, faith expectations, and how much scholarship aid is renewable. You can read a broader range of student perspectives and recent campus comments before visiting.