Admission & test scores

Pepperdine University SAT scores and acceptance rate

Admitted students scored 1290–1450 on the SAT, with an ACT midpoint of 28. Pepperdine University admits 63% of applicants — moderately selective. 88% of first-year students return for a second year.

SAT range1290–1450middle half of admits

ACT midpoint28admitted students

Acceptance rate63%moderately selective

First-year retention88%return for year two

Reading the score band These are the scores admitted students had — not a cut-off.

25th percentile

1290

Average

1384

75th percentile

1450

A quarter of admitted students scored below 1290 and a quarter above 1450. Being under the lower figure does not rule you out — it means the rest of the application has to carry more weight — and being above the upper one does not secure a place at a selective university. This intake sits inside a student body of about 3,553.

Universities with similar scores Useful for building a realistic application list.

University	Avg SAT	ACT	Acceptance	In-state tuition
Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, New York	1383	31	67%	$59,274
Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio	1387	29	61%	$13,244
American University Washington, District of Columbia	1381	31	62%	$58,771
Wheaton College Wheaton, Illinois	1380	30	87%	$45,546
Bard College Annandale-On-Hudson, New York	1380	—	52%	$66,436
University of Tulsa Tulsa, Oklahoma	1389	26	62%	$50,061

Getting in is the first question, not the last

Admission data says nothing about what the degree costs or returns. Before accepting an offer, read the net price for your family's income and the earnings of previous graduates — a place at a selective university financed with heavy borrowing can be a worse outcome than a place at a less selective one that costs little.

Pepperdine University admission: common questions

What SAT score do you need for Pepperdine University?

The middle half of admitted students scored between 1290 and 1450 on the SAT, with an average of 1384. A score inside that band is competitive; below it you would be relying on the rest of the application.

What ACT score does Pepperdine University require?

The ACT midpoint of admitted students is 28.

How hard is it to get into Pepperdine University?

Pepperdine University admits 63% of applicants, which is moderately selective. Of those who enrol, 88% return for a second year.

Does Pepperdine University require SAT or ACT scores?

This page reports what admitted students scored, not what the university requires. Many US universities went test-optional and have not returned to a requirement — always check the admissions page before deciding to skip a test.

What it costs Student loan record Debt vs graduate salary Highest SAT universities Highest acceptance rates SAT & ACT preparation

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard — SAT/ACT scores of admitted students, acceptance rate and first-year retention as most recently published. Scores describe past intakes and are not an entry requirement.