Is Pepperdine test optional?

We haven't confirmed Pepperdine's test policy for 2026–27. Check their admissions site; many colleges have changed their policy since 2020.

What is Pepperdine's acceptance rate?

63% of applicants were admitted in 2024–25, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 7,245 of 11,526 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 16%, from 9,923 in 2015 to 11,526 in 2024, and Pepperdine's admit rate went from 38% to 63%.

What ACT score do you need for Pepperdine?

10% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 29–32, with a median of 31. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1300–1440 works out to about 28–32.

What GPA do you need for Pepperdine?

There's no published cutoff. First-year students averaged a 3.61 high school GPA, per the Common Data Set 2024–25. Colleges compute GPA differently, so compare it loosely.

How many students get off the waitlist at Pepperdine?

785 of the 790 students who stayed on the waitlist were admitted, or 99%, per the Common Data Set 2024–25.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for Pepperdine? (Middle 50%: 1300–1440)

First-year students at Pepperdine who sent an SAT scored 1300–1440, with a median of 1370 (Common Data Set 2024–25). Pepperdine admits 63% of applicants.

Pepperdine University · Malibu, CA

Where your score lands at Pepperdine

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1300–1440, median 1370

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Pepperdine is for you and whether to send your score.

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Pepperdine by the numbers

Admit rate: 63%
Middle 50% SAT: 1300–1440
Median SAT: 1370
About on the ACT: 28–32
Sent an SAT: 18%

Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2024–25; admit rate from it or IPEDS

Pepperdine admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 16%, from 9,923 in 2015 to 11,526 in 2024, and Pepperdine's admit rate went from 38% to 63%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	11,526	7,245	63%
2023	12,457	6,210	50%
2022	11,466	5,585	49%
2021	11,855	6,249	53%
2020	11,634	4,925	42%
2019	12,764	4,049	32%
2018	11,265	4,016	36%
2017	11,704	4,664	40%
2016	11,111	4,097	37%
2015	9,923	3,781	38%

In fall 2024, 843 of the 7,245 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at Pepperdine

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?*

Under 1250Far reachHold
1250–1290ReachHold
1300–1360TargetHold
1370–1430TargetSend
1440 and upLikelySend

11501250135014501550

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.

Pepperdine SAT sections, ACT and GPA

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	640	690	740
SAT Reading and Writing	650	680	710
SAT total	1300	1370	1440
ACT composite	29	31	32

Of enrolled first-year students, 18% sent an SAT and 10% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2024–25.

Average high school GPA: 3.61; 99% of new students reported one

Pepperdine waitlist

Waitlist

1,443 applicants were offered a spot, 790 took it, and 785 were admitted from it.

99%of students who stayed on the waitlist got in

Common Data Set 2024–25.

Pepperdine cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $58,098; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 83%
Median earnings: $82,939; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 3,865

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like Pepperdine

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

Sources

Pepperdine Common Data Set 2024–25
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
Pepperdine website
Pepperdine University

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1300–1440, and the median was 1370. At 1370 or higher you're above half of them. Pepperdine admits 63% of applicants.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

Calculator allowed

A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$