Pepperdine University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Automatic and competitive scholarships for first-year students
- Full-tuition Seaver College Regents’ Scholars
- Need-based aid and Church of Christ awards
- FAFSA and application deadlines
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~49%
- Middle 50% SAT: 1230–1430
- Middle 50% ACT: 26–32
- Average HS GPA: 3.8 (unweighted)
Source: Pepperdine Seaver College Common Data Set 2024–25. Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
Pepperdine at a Glance
Last verified: October 11, 2025
Pepperdine University offers strong merit scholarships for high-achieving students, with its most prestigious award — the Regents’ Scholarship — covering full tuition at Seaver College. Recipients are invited to interview based on exceptional academics, leadership, and service.
Most admitted students receive some merit aid, and Pepperdine also provides need-based grants and Church of Christ scholarships. The university remains test-optional through 2025–26, and applying early increases scholarship consideration.
FAQ
What is Pepperdine’s top scholarship? The Regents’ Scholarship covers full tuition and is awarded to a small number of Seaver College applicants through invitation-only interviews.
Are there automatic scholarships? Yes. Academic merit awards ranging from $15,000–$25,000 are automatically awarded at admission based on GPA and test scores.
Does Pepperdine offer need-based aid? Yes. Need-based grants are available to eligible U.S. students who file both the FAFSA and CSS Profile by March 1.
What’s the average net price? Around $42,050 after aid, though strong applicants often receive substantial scholarships.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Pepperdine University
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $72,672 | $72,672 |
| Housing & Meals (on-campus average) | $22,480 | $22,480 |
| Total (before aid) | $95,152 | $95,152 |
Note: Additional estimated costs such as books ($1,000), transportation ($1,000), and personal/miscellaneous expenses ($1,500) are not billed directly by Pepperdine University and are therefore excluded from this table.
Reciprocity & Regional Programs: As a private university, Pepperdine does not participate in WUE, NEBHE, MSEP, or any state “flagship match” programs. All undergraduates pay the same tuition regardless of residency.
Cost of Attendance FAQs
Who qualifies for in-state tuition?
There’s no in-state discount — Pepperdine charges a single flat rate for full-time students enrolled in 12–18 credits per term.
How much does the average family really pay?
About $42,050 after scholarships and grants (based on the latest federal NCES data). Actual costs depend on GPA, demonstrated financial need, and scholarship eligibility.
Do I need special forms for scholarships?
Some institutional and departmental scholarships require both the CSS Profile and FAFSA to determine eligibility. Be sure to file both by Pepperdine’s posted deadlines.
https://seaver.pepperdine.edu/admission/financial-aid/cost-of-attendance.htm
https://seaver.pepperdine.edu/admission/financial-aid/undergraduate/scholarships/
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=121150
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?121150-Pepperdine-University
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regents Scholarship | Starts at $20,000/yr | Top academic admits; SAT/ACT/CLT scores required | No | Yes — 3.25 GPA, full-time | Top 8–10% of admits; ~3.9 GPA, ACT 33–36, SAT 1500–1600 | Jan 15 |
| Blanche E. Seaver Scholarship | $20,000+/yr (part of Regents program) | Highest-tier Regents-level admits with exceptional academics | No | Yes — 3.25 GPA, full-time | Usually the highest test/GPA profiles in the admitted class | Jan 15 |
| George Pepperdine Achievement Award | Varies (fixed for 4 years) | Strong academic admits not receiving Regents-level awards | No | Yes — 2.0 GPA, full-time | Solid academics; honors/AP coursework recommended | Jan 15 |
*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 — highest section scores across test dates are used for merit awards.
Can I stack merit with outside awards?
Yes, but merit is only for tuition and total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
What happens if my GPA falls below the requirement?
Regents/Seaver require a 3.25; Achievement Award needs a 2.0 to renew.
Regents & Seaver Scholarships – https://seaver.pepperdine.edu/admission/financial-aid/merit/
2025 Deadlines & Eligibility – https://seaver.pepperdine.edu/admission/first-year-applicants/
Application Process FAQ – https://seaver.pepperdine.edu/admission/first-year-applicants/faq/
Merit Breakdown – https://collegereadyparent.org/pepperdine-university-scholarships/
Peterson’s/Scholarship Search – https://petersons.com/scholarship-search/
🏆 Flagship Scholarships (Competitive)
These are university-level, cohort-style competitive scholarships open to incoming freshmen of any major. Both awards below are part of Pepperdine’s prestigious Regents Scholars Program and represent the highest levels of undergraduate merit recognition.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regents’ Scholarship | Full tuition (up to four years) | Awarded to the most academically exceptional admitted students; typically 4.0+ GPA (unweighted) and top 1–2% of applicants with strong leadership/service. | No (automatic with admission) | Yes, up to 4 years with required GPA/enrollment | Few—usually <10 per year receive full-tuition award. | Jan 15 |
| Blanche E. Seaver Scholarship | Significant partial tuition award (amount varies) | Granted to top-tier admits who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, and character; part of the Regents cohort. | No (automatic with admission) | Yes, annual with GPA/enrollment | Highly competitive; small percent of class just below Regents. | Jan 15 |
Flagship/Competitive FAQs
Does Pepperdine offer a full-ride scholarship?
The Regents’ Scholarship covers full tuition, but not room/board. It’s Pepperdine’s most prestigious undergraduate award.
What’s the difference with Blanche E. Seaver?
It’s a selective partial-tuition scholarship for outstanding students below the Regents level—still elite, and part of the Regents group.
Are there separate applications or interviews?
No. All are automatic, considered as part of your freshman application.
When should students apply?
Submit your application by January 15 to be considered for all flagship merit awards at Pepperdine.
Regents & Seaver Scholarships – https://seaver.pepperdine.edu/admission/financial-aid/merit/
2025 Deadlines & Eligibility – https://seaver.pepperdine.edu/admission/first-year-applicants/
Seaver Competitive Awards – https://seaver.pepperdine.edu/admission/financial-aid/scholarships/
Peterson’s/Scholarship Search – https://petersons.com/scholarship-search/
🎖️ 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 freshman registration, or apply to Departmental Honors as posted 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 upper-division 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 usually occurs at freshman registration. Departmental Honors deadlines vary by division but are typically posted each cycle.
Great Books Colloquium – https://seaver.pepperdine.edu/humanities/programs/great-books/
Departmental Honors Overview – https://seaver.pepperdine.edu/naturalscience/programs/honors-program/
Biology Honors – https://seaver.pepperdine.edu/naturalscience/programs/biology/honors/
Chemistry Honors – https://seaver.pepperdine.edu/naturalscience/programs/chemistry/honors/
Sports Medicine Honors – https://seaver.pepperdine.edu/naturalscience/programs/sportsmed/honors/
Seaver College Academic Catalog – https://catalog.seaver.pepperdine.edu/
⭐ 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.