Pepperdine University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
Looking at Pepperdine? This Malibu-based private university is known for its faith-centered approach and strong academics, but the price tag can feel overwhelming. That’s where scholarships and aid come in. On this page, we’ll break down Pepperdine’s costs, the merit awards your student may automatically receive, plus competitive fellowships and hidden gems that can lower the bill. If you’re a California family, also check our California state aid guide for extra programs that stack with Pepperdine awards.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Pepperdine University
| Expense | Cost (Annual) |
|---|---|
| Tuition (12–18 credits, flat rate) | $71,860 |
| Campus Life Fee | $252 |
| Wellness Fee | $560 |
| Housing & Meals (on-campus average) | $22,480 |
| Books & Supplies (allowance) | $1,000 |
| Transportation (allowance) | $1,000 |
| Personal/Miscellaneous (allowance) | $1,500 |
| Federal Loan Fees (estimate) | $68 |
| Total (before aid) | $98,720 |
Note: Pepperdine also lists a one-time New Student Fee for first-year students, billed in the first year only and not included in the annual total above.
Reciprocity & Regional Programs: As a private university, Pepperdine does not participate in WUE, NEBHE, MSEP, or state “flagship match” programs. All undergraduates pay the same tuition regardless of residency.
COA FAQs
Who qualifies for in-state tuition?
There’s no in-state discount—Pepperdine uses one flat tuition rate for 12–18 credits per term.
How much does the average family really pay?
About $47,045 after scholarships and grants (latest federal NCES data). Your student’s net price depends on academics and demonstrated need.
Do I need special forms for scholarships?
Some institutional or program scholarships may require the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA. File both if Pepperdine lists them as required.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regents Scholarship | Starts at $20,000/yr | Top academic admits; SAT/ACT/CLT scores required | No | Yes — 3.25 GPA, full-time | Typically the top 8–10% of admits; *~3.9 GPA, ACT 33–36, SAT 1500–1600* |
| Blanche E. Seaver Scholarship | $20,000+/yr (part of Regents program) | Selected Regents-level admits with exceptional academics | No | Yes — 3.25 GPA, full-time | Highest-tier Regents students; *very top test/GPA profiles* |
| George Pepperdine Achievement Award | Varies (fixed amount for 4 years) | Strong academic admits not receiving Regents-level awards | No | Yes — 2.0 GPA, full-time | Solid academics; honors/AP rigor helps; dollar range unpublished |
*Estimates are based on past student profiles and admissions data; Pepperdine does not publish official GPA/test cutoffs.*
Automatic Merit FAQs
Do I need to apply separately for these scholarships?
No. All admitted students are automatically considered based on their admission application.
Does Pepperdine superscore the SAT or ACT?
Yes. Pepperdine superscores both the SAT and ACT, meaning they take the highest section scores across multiple test dates when considering Regents-level awards.
Can I stack merit with outside awards?
Yes, but institutional merit only applies to tuition and is not refundable. Outside/private scholarships can stack, though total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
What happens if my GPA falls below the requirement?
Regents and Seaver scholarships require a 3.25 GPA to renew; the Achievement Award requires a 2.0 GPA. Falling below these thresholds can result in losing or reducing the award.
🏆 Flagship Scholarships (Competitive)
These are university-level, cohort-style competitive scholarships (what many families think of as “flagship” awards). Based on Pepperdine’s official pages for 2025–2026, the university does not publish any separate flagship/competition-based freshman scholarships beyond admission-based merit.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No university-wide flagship (competitive) freshman scholarships are publicly listed for 2025–2026. Pepperdine’s marquee awards (Regents/Seaver) are considered automatic merit during admission review and appear in the Automatic Merit section. | |||||
Flagship/Competitive FAQs
Does Pepperdine offer a separate full-ride “competition” for freshmen?
Not at this time. The university’s top published freshman awards (Regents and Blanche E. Seaver) are evaluated automatically during admission review rather than through a separate competition.
What if my student is aiming for competitive, prestige-level funding?
Focus on the Automatic Merit criteria and build a strong application (rigor, grades, leadership, essays). Later-year competitive fellowships and research stipends exist once enrolled, but they are not freshman flagship awards.
Are there interview-based university scholarships for incoming freshmen?
Pepperdine does not publish an interview-based flagship scholarship process for first-year students. If any pilot or cohort program is introduced, it will appear on the official scholarships site—recheck during Phase 2.
Do competitive Pepperdine awards require FAFSA/CSS Profile?
Admission-based merit is academic, but some programs and need-sensitive funds may ask for FAFSA and, in some cases, the CSS Profile. When in doubt, file both and review our CSS Profile Guide.
⭐ College Specialty
Pepperdine is often recognized for weaving together rigorous academics with a values-driven, faith-based mission. Parents should know that while it’s a smaller private university, Pepperdine has national recognition in a few standout areas that can shape career opportunities and graduate school paths.
Pepperdine’s International Programs rank among the nation’s strongest, consistently landing in the top 20 for study abroad participation (U.S. News & World Report, 2025). Nearly 70% of undergraduates study abroad—far above the national average.
- Business (Graziadio School): Ranked among the Best Graduate Business Schools by U.S. News (2025), with a strong reputation in Southern California for leadership development and entrepreneurship.
- Undergraduate Teaching: Pepperdine has been nationally ranked by U.S. News for Best Undergraduate Teaching, highlighting its emphasis on faculty-student mentorship.
- Sports Medicine & Natural Sciences: Well-regarded regionally for programs in Sports Medicine, Biology, and Chemistry, with strong pre-health and pre-med pathways tied to research and faculty mentorship.
- Law (Caruso School of Law): Nationally ranked for dispute resolution and trial advocacy programs, adding a unique cross-school pipeline for interested undergrads.
Note: Pepperdine is classified as an R2: High Research Activity university (not R1), but it maintains strong undergraduate research programs with funding for summer fellowships.
🎖️ Honors at Pepperdine
Pepperdine does not have a single, centralized Honors College. Instead, it offers two distinct honors-style opportunities: the Great Books Colloquium, which replaces portions of the general education core with a four-course seminar sequence, and several Departmental Honors Programs (such as Biology, Chemistry, and Sports Medicine) that culminate in a thesis defense. Both options provide small classes, faculty mentorship, and transcript/diploma recognition.
Students usually have a strong high school GPA (3.8+), rigorous coursework (AP/IB/Honors), and a demonstrated love for reading, research, or creative inquiry. Departmental honors students also show initiative in lab work or faculty-mentored projects.
- Small seminar-style classes with intensive faculty engagement
- Core curriculum credit through the Great Books Colloquium
- Faculty-mentored thesis projects in Departmental Honors Programs
- “Honors in [discipline]” notation on transcript and diploma
- Enhanced preparation for graduate or professional school
Honors FAQs
Is admission automatic?
No. Students self-select into the Great Books Colloquium during their first year, or apply to Departmental Honors in sophomore/junior year with GPA and faculty recommendations.
Does Honors add time to my degree?
No. The Great Books sequence fulfills core requirements, and Departmental Honors is integrated into junior–senior year coursework.
Are there extra scholarship dollars tied to Honors?
Pepperdine does not advertise separate Honors scholarships. However, students in these programs often compete successfully for research stipends and study abroad scholarships.
What deadlines should we know?
Great Books enrollment typically happens during freshman registration. Departmental Honors deadlines vary by division but are usually posted in sophomore year.
📎 Official Links
Final Thoughts
Pepperdine’s price tag can look intimidating, but when you break it down, there are multiple ways families bring the cost within reach. Automatic merit, hidden gem opportunities like study abroad funds and research stipends, and ROTC pathways all add up. Even without a formal Honors College, Pepperdine’s Great Books and departmental honors programs give motivated students small classes and strong mentorship. If your student is considering Pepperdine, be sure to run the numbers with both merit and need-based aid in mind—and don’t forget to complete both the FAFSA and CSS Profile so you don’t miss out on available scholarships.
✅ Last updated: September 22, 2025