Pepperdine University Acceptance Rate
Malibu, California · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 12,457
- Admitted
- 6,210
- Yield
- 11.8%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Pepperdine University's acceptance rate has risen from 35.5% in 2014–15 to 49.9% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 8,914 to 12,457 (+40%) over that period.
Its 49.9% rate makes Pepperdine University more selective than about 84% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 84 tracked California schools, it is more selective than about 61%.
Pepperdine University has been test-optional since 2020–21. Of admitted students, 11.8% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 8,914 | 3,161 | 35.5% | 657 |
| 2015–16 | 9,923 | 3,781 | 38.1% | 745 |
| 2016–17 | 11,111 | 4,097 | 36.9% | 743 |
| 2017–18 | 11,704 | 4,664 | 39.8% | 862 |
| 2018–19 | 11,265 | 4,016 | 35.7% | 803 |
| 2019–20 | 12,764 | 4,049 | 31.7% | 726 |
| 2020–21 | 11,768 | 4,925 | 41.9% | 733 |
| 2021–22 | 11,855 | 6,249 | 52.7% | 1,024 |
| 2022–23 | 11,466 | 5,585 | 48.7% | 942 |
| 2023–24 | 12,457 | 6,210 | 49.9% | 732 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 7,904 | 3,854 | 48.8% |
| Men | 4,553 | 2,356 | 51.7% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 630–710 | 14% |
| SAT Math | 620–740 | |
| ACT Composite | 26–32 | 7% |
How Pepperdine University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Pepperdine University's acceptance rate?
Pepperdine University's acceptance rate is 49.9% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (6,210 admitted of 12,457 applicants).
Is Pepperdine University test optional?
Pepperdine University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Pepperdine University?
Pepperdine University received 12,457 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 6,210.
What SAT score do you need for Pepperdine University?
Admitted students at Pepperdine University typically scored 630–710 on SAT Reading/Writing and 620–740 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Pepperdine University getting harder to get into?
Pepperdine University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 35.5% in 2014–15 to 49.9% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.pepperdine.edu/.