Is Pepperdine University a Christian college?

Yes. Pepperdine University is a Christian college. Its sponsor is Churches of Christ.

What is Pepperdine University’s Compass Score?

77 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.

Where is chapel held at Pepperdine University?

Chapel is listed at Amphitheater. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the college’s spiritual life office before you go.

Christian college

#3 Most selective Christian colleges in California

Pepperdine University

Malibu, CA · Private nonprofit · 4-year · Churches of Christ · Churches of Christ and Christian Churches

Real cost

Average price after aid $58,098 a year

Median debt at graduation: $23,510 (all students)

Estimate your own price · the college’s net price calculator

Pepperdine University is a Christian university in Malibu, California, whose stated heritage is Churches of Christ. Its Hub for Spiritual Life offers a weekly Wednesday chapel, Monday and Wednesday worship nights, Bible studies, and service through Community Engagement and Service. The Seaver College core requires three religion courses for every undergraduate, and the university publishes an Affirmation Statement.

Faith life at a glance

A week at Pepperdine University

MonToday
- 7:00PMWorship night
TueToday
No set time
WedToday
- 10:00AMChapel
- 7:00PMWorship night
ThuToday
No set time
FriToday
No set time
SatToday
No set time
SunToday
No set time

No set time: Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun

Times as the college publishes them. Check before you plan a visit.

In the college’s own words

“The Hub for Spiritual Life engages the Pepperdine community through worship and spiritual care.”
Source: pepperdine.edu
“Community Engagement and Service (CES), housed in the Hub for Spiritual Life, invites students to engage in meaningful service opportunities”
Source: pepperdine.edu

Questions students ask

Do I have to go to chapel?

Seaver students must earn 2.5 chapel credits across their eight semesters of enrollment.

Source: seaver.pepperdine.edu

What's a normal week?

Celebration Chapel meets Wednesdays at 10 a.m. in the Amphitheater, Word Up meets Mondays at 7 p.m., and The Well meets Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

Source: pepperdine.edu

Can I serve or go on mission trips?

Community Engagement and Service, housed in the Hub for Spiritual Life, offers regular service projects and global service.

Source: pepperdine.edu

Rankings

Where this college places on our top lists. Lists are worked out from official data and our faith research; places in the top quarter of each list are shown. See every list

In America

In California

Academic Excellence

86 of 100

From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

Graduation rate 35% of score83%
First-year retention 20% of score88%
Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreSAT 1,384 · ACT 30.5
Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of score12 to 1
Instructional spending per student 15% of score$10,390

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Faith scorecard

Each area’s grade and what we found. Tap an area to see the findings and their sources.

Worship and chapel

65 of 100 points · 6 of 7 found

Partly:
Chapel services during the weekOnce a week (Celebration Chapel once a week (Wednesdays).)
Sources (1)
1. Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/hub/worship.htm · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Celebration Chapel (Wednesdays, 10 AM, Amphitheater)”
  A weekly Celebration Chapel is held Wednesdays at 10 a.m. in the Amphitheater.
Yes:
Chapel attendance expected of studentsRequired, with a set number of services each term (Required of all Seaver students as a set number of Chapel credits across eight semesters (not per term).)
Sources (1)
1. Seaver College Catalog 2026-27seaver.pepperdine.edu/academics/content/seaver-catalog-2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “All Seaver students must earn a total of two and one-half (2.5) Chapel credits during their eight (8) semesters of enrollment”
  Seaver students must earn 2.5 Chapel credits over eight semesters.
Yes:
Student worship nights or praise servicesEvery week (Two weekly worship nights (Monday and Wednesday).)
Sources (1)
1. Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/hub/worship.htm · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Word Up (Mondays, 7 PM)”
  A worship night, Word Up, is held Mondays at 7 p.m.
  “The Well (Wednesdays, 7 PM, Amphitheater)”
  A worship night, The Well, is held Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the Amphitheater.
Partly:
Prayer opportunities (prayer rooms, prayer groups, days or weeks of prayer)Now and then (Student prayer is part of a student group; the lowest supported level is recorded.)
Sources (1)
1. Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/hub/student-led-ministries · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “through intentional relationships, prayer, and outreach”
  A student group cultivates community through prayer and outreach.
Not enough information:
Campus pastors or chaplains serving studentsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
A chapel or worship space on campusYes
Sources (1)
1. Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/hub/faith-communities · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Stauffer Chapel on Pepperdine's Malibu campus”
  A campus chapel, Stauffer Chapel, is on the Malibu campus.
Partly:
Published weekly schedule of chapel, worship and prayer3 or 4 times a week (3 weekly times documented: 1 chapel, 2 worship night, 0 prayer.)Computed from the verified chapel services, worship nights and prayer times listed on the college's page (each day a time is offered counts once).

Bible and theology

88 of 100 points · 5 of 6 found

Yes:
Bible or theology courses required of all bachelor's students3 or more courses (Three religion courses (REL 100, 200, 300) required of all Seaver undergraduates.)
Sources (1)
1. Seaver College Catalog 2026-27seaver.pepperdine.edu/academics/content/seaver-catalog-2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Courses fulfilling the Christianity and culture requirement are REL 100, REL 200, and REL 300.”
  Three religion courses (REL 100, 200, 300) fulfil the Seaver Core requirement.
Not enough information:
Required courses include study of the Old and New TestamentsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Partly:
Christian worldview or faith-and-learning courses requiredNone required (The Christianity and Culture course is counted under T1.)
Sources (1)
1. Seaver College Catalog 2026-27seaver.pepperdine.edu/academics/content/seaver-catalog-2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Courses fulfilling the Christianity and culture requirement are REL 100, REL 200, and REL 300.”
  Three religion courses (REL 100, 200, 300) fulfil the Seaver Core requirement.
Yes:
Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in academic or faculty policy)Yes
Sources (1)
1. Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/about/our-story/mission-vision · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “known for the integration of faith and learning”
  The vision states the university is known for integrating faith and learning.
Yes:
Bible, theology or ministry major offeredYes
Sources (1)
1. Seaver College Catalog 2026-27seaver.pepperdine.edu/academics/content/seaver-catalog-2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “The religion major requires core courses fundamental to understanding religious studies”
  A religion major is offered.
Yes:
A published statement of faithYes (The Affirmation Statement affirms core beliefs; it is recorded as the published statement of faith.)
Sources (1)
1. Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/about/our-story/mission-vision · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “That God is revealed uniquely in Christ”
  The Affirmation Statement lists what the university affirms about God and Christ.

Christian community

68 of 100 points · 6 of 7 found

Partly:
Spiritual life staff (pastors, ministers and professional staff)1 to 2 (Two named staff contacts on the Hub pages.)
Sources (2)
1. Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/hub/student-led-ministries · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Contact Nicole Son at nicole.son@pepperdine.edu”
  Student-Led Ministries contact.
2. Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/hub/community-engagement-and-service · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Sign up or contact Stella Zhu at stella.zhu@pepperdine.edu”
  Community Engagement and Service contact.
Partly:
Retreats or spiritual emphasis weeks each yearOne or two (Harbor, the Pepperdine Bible Lectures, and the Worship Summit.)
Sources (1)
1. Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/church-relations/harbor · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “has been a sacred gathering where followers of Jesus come together to worship, learn, and renew their hope”
  Harbor, the Pepperdine Bible Lectures, is a sacred annual gathering.
Partly:
Bible studies, small groups and Christian student organizationsA few
Sources (2)
1. Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/hub/light-house.htm · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Women' s Bible Study | 9- 10 AM”
  Weekly women's Bible study is listed on the Light House page.
2. Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/hub/student-led-ministries · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “From instrumental worship and preaching, to apologetics and Bible studies”
  Student-led ministries include Bible studies.
Not enough information:
Faculty affirm the college's statement of faithNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Faith life in residence halls (hall Bible studies, resident ministry leaders)In every hall (Spiritual Life Advisors serve the on-campus residential facilities.)
Sources (1)
1. Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/hub/faith-communities · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Stauffer Chapel on Pepperdine's Malibu campus”
  A campus chapel, Stauffer Chapel, is on the Malibu campus.
Yes:
Help finding a local church (church fairs, rides, partner churches)Yes
Sources (1)
1. Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/hub/faith-communities · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Malibu Churches”
  Local churches are listed for students.
Yes:
Office or senior leader for spiritual life or Christian missionYes
Sources (1)
1. Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/hub · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “The Hub for Spiritual Life engages the Pepperdine community through worship and spiritual care.”
  The Hub for Spiritual Life is the spiritual life office.

Missions and service

77 of 100 points · 4 of 6 found

Yes:
Service or outreach officeYes
Sources (1)
1. Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/hub/community-engagement-and-service · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Community Engagement and Service (CES), housed in the Hub for Spiritual Life, invites students to engage in meaningful service opportunities”
  Community Engagement and Service is a service office in the Hub.
Not enough information:
Service hours or service-learning in the curriculumNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Missions trips offered to studentsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Partly:
Partnerships with local churches and ministries for serviceSome
Sources (1)
1. Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/hub/community-engagement-and-service · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Through regular service projects, long-term community partnerships”
  Service includes long-term community partnerships.
Partly:
Cross-cultural or global ministry programsSome (Global service through Waves of Service.)
Sources (1)
1. Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/waves-of-service · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “through volunteerism and global service”
  Waves of Service supports global service.
Yes:
Service explicitly rooted in the Christian missionYes
Sources (1)
1. Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/hub/community-engagement-and-service · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “view service not just as an occasional activity, but as a meaningful spiritual practice”
  Service is encouraged as a spiritual practice.

Strengths

Chapel and worship nights are held weekly, with a Wednesday chapel and Monday and Wednesday worship nights.
Sources (1)
1. Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/hub/worship.htm · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Celebration Chapel (Wednesdays, 10 AM, Amphitheater)”
  A weekly Celebration Chapel is held Wednesdays at 10 a.m. in the Amphitheater.
  “Word Up (Mondays, 7 PM)”
  A worship night, Word Up, is held Mondays at 7 p.m.
  “The Well (Wednesdays, 7 PM, Amphitheater)”
  A worship night, The Well, is held Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the Amphitheater.
Every Seaver undergraduate takes three religion courses in the core (REL 100, 200, 300).
Sources (1)
1. Seaver College Catalog 2026-27seaver.pepperdine.edu/academics/content/seaver-catalog-2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Courses fulfilling the Christianity and culture requirement are REL 100, REL 200, and REL 300.”
  Three religion courses (REL 100, 200, 300) fulfil the Seaver Core requirement.
The university publishes an Affirmation Statement and states its integration of faith and learning in its vision.
Sources (1)
1. Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/about/our-story/mission-vision · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “That God is revealed uniquely in Christ”
  The Affirmation Statement lists what the university affirms about God and Christ.
  “known for the integration of faith and learning”
  The vision states the university is known for integrating faith and learning.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Campus ministry home

Hub for Spiritual Life (Stauffer Chapel)

Address: 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90263
Location: On campus
Facilities: chapel (Stauffer Chapel)

View on map ↗

Source: pepperdine.edu, verified Oct. 20, 2026

Campus ministry

Hub for Spiritual Life

Sources (1)

Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/hub · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“The Hub for Spiritual Life engages the Pepperdine community through worship and spiritual care.”
The Hub for Spiritual Life is the spiritual life office.

Christian clubs and student life

3 groups and regular activities · 2 on campus, 1 off campus

Service 1

Community Engagement and ServiceOff campus
Regular service projects and community partnerships.
pepperdine.edu, pepperdine.edu

Clubs and groups 1

Light House Bible studiesOn campus
Tuesdays (women's and men's Bible studies)
Weekly Bible studies in the Tyler Campus Center.
pepperdine.edu

Retreats 1

Harbor: The Pepperdine Bible LecturesOn campus
A long-running gathering for worship and Bible teaching.
pepperdine.edu

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the church. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Chapel, worship and prayer

Confirm with the campus ministry

Chapel 1

Wednesday10:00 AMAmphitheater · Celebration Chapel, as listed on the Hub worship page.

Worship night 2

Monday7:00 PMWord Up (location not stated)
Wednesday7:00 PMAmphitheater · The Well worship night.

Times come only from official campus ministry, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 20, 2026.

Sources for these times (1)

Pepperdine Universitypepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/hub/worship.htm · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Celebration Chapel (Wednesdays, 10 AM, Amphitheater)”
A weekly Celebration Chapel is held Wednesdays at 10 a.m. in the Amphitheater.
“Word Up (Mondays, 7 PM)”
A worship night, Word Up, is held Mondays at 7 p.m.
“The Well (Wednesdays, 7 PM, Amphitheater)”
A worship night, The Well, is held Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the Amphitheater.

Plan a campus visit Chapel and worship times for your dates, questions to ask, and a calendar button.

What families pay, by income

Average yearly price after grants and scholarships, for students who receive federal aid.

Average net price by family income
Family income	Price after aid
Up to $30,000	$50,560
$30,001–$48,000	$42,674
$48,001–$75,000	$51,063
$75,001–$110,000	$61,851
Over $110,000	$65,081

Full cost of attendance before aid: $93,512 a year.

Use the college’s net price calculator for your own estimate.

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Value and outcomes
Undergraduate students Fall enrollment (IPEDS)	3,629
Men and women College Scorecard, fall 2023	Men 40% · Women 60%
First-generation students College Scorecard	18%
First-year students from another state IPEDS, fall 2023	39%
Total students	9,545
Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid	$58,098
Cost of attendance (per year)	$93,512
Median federal debt at graduation	$23,510
Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time	83%
Graduation rate for Pell grant recipients College Scorecard, within 6 years	85%
Graduation rate for first-generation students College Scorecard, within 6 years	83%
Borrowers paying down their loans within 3 years College Scorecard, within 3 years	74%
First-year retention	88%
Median earnings 10 years after entry	$82,939
Admission rate	63%
Application fee IPEDS, 2023–24	$65
Students receiving Pell grants	20%

Admitted students’ middle range:SAT 1290–1450ACT 29–32

Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT	1384
SAT reading & writing	650–710
SAT math	640–740
ACT composite	29–32
Test policy	Considered but not required

Value index: 63 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Earnings by major

Median earnings of bachelor’s graduates a few years after finishing, by major (College Scorecard).

Median earnings by major
Major	Median earnings
Economics	$104,943
International business	$100,595
Business administration	$91,227
Public relations	$81,417
Political science	$75,954
Kinesiology and exercise science	$65,100
Global studies	$62,495
Psychology	$61,353
Journalism	$58,801
Broadcasting	$55,432
Theatre	$50,594

Also offered (no earnings published yet): Accounting, Area studies, Arts management, Biology, Chemistry, Clinical and counseling psychology, Communication studies, English, Ethnic and gender studies, Film and video, Finance, Fine arts, German, History, Information technology, Interdisciplinary studies, Liberal arts, Mathematics, Mathematics and Computer Science, Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Music, Natural Sciences, Nutrition Sciences, Philosophy, Physics, Religious studies, Romance languages, Secondary education, Sociology, Sustainability Studies, Writing and rhetoric.

What students study most

Share of bachelor’s degrees by field, first majors in 2023–24 (IPEDS).

Most common bachelor’s fields
Field	Share of degrees
Business	29%
Communication	13%
Psychology	11%
Social sciences	11%
Parks, recreation and fitness	8%

Campus facts

School colors
Setting	Suburb
Part-time undergraduates	5%
Undergraduates aged 25 and older	3%
On-campus room and board (per year)	$21,750
Sports	NCAA Division I · West Coast Conference
ROTC	Army · Air Force
Study abroad	Offered
Students per faculty member	12 to 1
Undergraduates registered with the disability office	About 14%IPEDS, 2023–24
Faculty who are full-time	47%College Scorecard, fall 2023
Endowment per student	$166,353IPEDS, 2023, per student
Dorm space	For about 70% of studentsBeds per undergraduate; not who lives on campus
Nearest airport with airline service	Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)About 18 miles away · about 40 minutes by car
Town population	10,421Census, 2020–2024
Nearest city of 250,000 people or more	Los AngelesAbout 17 miles away · about 35 minutes by car
Typical weather	56°F in January · 65°F in JulyNOAA, 1991–2020, from Santa Monica Pier, CA, about 12 miles away

Federal data (IPEDS and College Scorecard), except school colors. None of this changes the faith grades.

Campus safety reports

On-campus crimes reported in 2024, per 1,000 students.

On-campus crimes per 1,000 students
Category	This campus	U.S. rate
Rape	0.09	0.07
Robbery	0.00	0.01
Aggravated assault	0.00	0.04
Burglary	0.02	0.08
Motor vehicle theft	0.01	0.15

Numbers reflect what each campus reported. They differ with campus size and how reporting is done, so compare with care. U.S. rate: total reported offenses divided by total students at every institution in the report.

Source: Official data: U.S. Department of Education

Christian churches nearby

CampusChristian centerOpen a street map ›

No Christian churches are mapped in OpenStreetMap within 3 miles. The map may be incomplete; check a local church directory.

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the church.

Questions families ask

Is Pepperdine University a Christian college?: Yes. Pepperdine University is a Christian college. Its sponsor is Churches of Christ.
What is Pepperdine University’s Compass Score?: 77 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Where is chapel held at Pepperdine University?: Chapel is listed at Amphitheater. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the college’s spiritual life office before you go.

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Reach out

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About this school’s data

IPEDS unit ID 121150
Carnegie classification: Doctoral/professional university
Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
Religious affiliation (IPEDS): Churches of Christ
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