More selective than 60% of California colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
14% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 7% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Pepperdine University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
Pepperdine University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Pepperdine University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 650 | 710 |
| SAT math | 640 | 740 |
| ACT composite | 29 | 32 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1290 | 1450 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Pepperdine University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 63% | 650–710 | 640–740 | 29–32 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 50% | 630–710 | 620–740 | 26–32 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Pepperdine University compared with other California colleges?
Pepperdine University has the 37th-lowest acceptance rate of 92 California colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | San Francisco Conservatory of Music | 55% | 74% | $42,607 |
| 34 | Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad West Coast Talmudical Seminary | 58% | 12% | $14,959 |
| 35 | University of San Francisco | 62% | 70% | $41,431 |
| 36 | Vanguard University of Southern California | 62% | 57% | $21,241 |
| 37 | Pepperdine University | 63% | 83% | $58,098 |
| 38 | Fresno Pacific University | 64% | 50% | $13,630 |
| 39 | Chapman University | 65% | 82% | $46,555 |
| 40 | University of California-Santa Cruz | 66% | 75% | $17,890 |
| 41 | Concordia University-Irvine | 66% | 58% | $28,115 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All California colleges →
Who enrolls at Pepperdine University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Pepperdine University admissions questions
What is the Pepperdine University acceptance rate?
Pepperdine University accepts 63% of applicants, about 1 in 2. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 6,210 of 12,457 applicants were admitted.
Does Pepperdine University require the SAT or ACT?
Pepperdine University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 14% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 7% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Pepperdine University?
The middle 50% of Pepperdine University enrolled first-year students scored 1290–1450 on the SAT and 29–32 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Pepperdine University?
12% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (732 of 6,210).
Is Pepperdine University getting harder to get into?
Pepperdine University accepted 63% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 50% for Fall 2023.
Is Pepperdine University the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Pepperdine University overview