Malibu is gorgeous. Everyone knows the view from the Pepperdine campus is basically a postcard come to life. But if you’re looking at that Pacific Ocean horizon and wondering how much it actually costs to sit in a classroom there, things get real very quickly.
Honestly, the sticker price for a private university in 2026 can feel like looking at the sun—it’s blinding. You’ve probably seen the massive numbers floating around on forums or college search sites.
$95,000? $100,000?
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer math of it all. But most people look at the "total cost of attendance" and assume that's the check they have to write every August. That’s rarely the case. Between merit scholarships, specific program fees, and the "hidden" costs of living on a cliffside in Southern California, the real story of pepperdine tuition and fees is way more nuanced than a single line item.
The Raw Numbers: What You’re Looking At for 2025-2026
If we’re talking strictly about Seaver College—the undergraduate heart of Pepperdine—the 2025-2026 academic year has a flat-rate tuition of $71,860. That covers you if you’re taking between 12 and 18 units per semester.
Go over 18 units? That’ll be an extra $2,255 per unit.
Taking a lighter load below 12 units? Same price: $2,255 per unit.
Then come the mandatory fees. These aren't optional, even if you never step foot in the gym or go to a campus concert.
- Wellness Fee: $560 (This covers the expanded mental and physical health services).
- Campus Life Fee: $252.
So, just to exist as a student with a full course load, you’re at roughly $72,672 before you’ve even bought a sandwich or found a place to sleep.
Room and Board: The Malibu Premium
Living in Malibu isn't cheap. If you’re staying on campus, Pepperdine estimates housing and food at about $22,480 for the year. This isn't just a random guess; it’s based on a double-occupancy room (think Lovernich Apartments) and a standard meal plan.
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If you decide to live off-campus, don't expect a discount. Between the rental market in Malibu and Santa Monica and the cost of commuting, Pepperdine actually budgets slightly more for off-campus living—around $22,590.
When you add it all up—tuition, fees, housing, and food—the "direct cost" hits $95,152.
Why the Sticker Price is Kinda a Lie
Here is the thing: almost nobody pays $95,152.
Pepperdine is surprisingly aggressive with financial aid. In fact, about 98% of new Seaver students receive some form of institutional merit scholarship or need-based aid.
Take the George Pepperdine Achievement Award. If you have an unweighted GPA of 3.6 or higher, you’re looking at an automatic scholarship between $16,000 and $35,000 per year. That’s a massive dent in the tuition bill just for having good grades in high school.
Then there’s the Regents Scholars Program. This is for the top 8-10% of the class. It pays out $40,000 to $45,000 annually. If you land that, your tuition is suddenly cut by more than half.
The average total aid package for first-year students sits around $38,600. When you do the "real person math," the net price often drops into the $50,000 to $60,000 range for many families. Still a lot of money? Absolutely. But it’s a far cry from the six-figure headlines you see on TikTok.
Pepperdine Tuition and Fees for Graduate Students
Graduate school at Pepperdine is a completely different beast. They don't really do "flat rates" across the board like undergraduate programs. It’s all about the specific school you’re in.
Graziadio Business School
The MBA programs are priced by the term or the unit.
- Full-Time MBA (20-month): Around $28,410 per term.
- Online MBA: Billed at $2,115 per unit.
- Executive MBA: A steeper $30,630 per term.
Caruso School of Law
Law school is notoriously expensive, and Pepperdine fits the bill. The JD program tuition is roughly $67,520 for the year. If you’re looking at a Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR), you’re looking at $2,680 per unit, which totals nearly $70,000 for the full 26-unit program.
School of Public Policy (SPP)
The Master of Public Policy (MPP) is a bit more accessible, with 2025-2026 tuition set at $39,500 for two semesters.
GSEP (Education and Psychology)
This is where the variety really kicks in.
- Online MA in Psychology: $2,030 per unit.
- MS in Education: $1,605 per unit.
- Doctor of Education (EdD): $2,015 per unit.
The "Sneaky" Costs You Forget to Budget
Books. Pepperdine is very clear about this: you can’t charge books to your student account. You need "real" money (cash or credit) ready at the start of the semester. They estimate about $1,000 a year for books and supplies.
Then there’s the Health Insurance (SHIP). Unless you can prove you have a US-based plan that is "comparable," Pepperdine will automatically enroll you in their plan. For 2025-2026, that’s about $2,798.
Transportation is another one. If you’re living on campus, you might think you’ll save on gas. But Malibu is isolated. You’ll want to go to LA. You’ll need to get to the airport. Pepperdine suggests budgeting at least $1,000 for transportation and another $1,500 for personal expenses (laundry, soap, the occasional movie, etc.).
Navigating the 2026 Financial Shift
There’s a bit of a storm brewing for graduate students. Federal changes taking effect July 1, 2026, mean that Graduate PLUS Loans are ending, and new federal loan limits will be capped at $100,000.
If you’re planning on a high-cost program like the JD or a specialized MBA, you need to be looking at your financing now. Starting your program in the Spring or Summer of 2026 allows you to lock in current loan options through 2029. If you wait until the Fall 2026 term, the rules of the game change significantly.
How to Actually Afford It
- Submit the FAFSA early. Even if you think you won't qualify for need-based aid, many institutional scholarships require it to be on file. Pepperdine's school code is 001264.
- Apply for the Christian Leadership Award. If you’re active in a Church of Christ congregation, that’s an extra $5,000 a year that stacks on top of other merit awards.
- The "Lovernich" Strategy. Housing costs vary by the type of room. Choosing a standard double over a single or a more premium apartment can save you thousands over four years.
- Approve your health insurance waiver. If you are still on your parents' insurance, do the paperwork. That’s nearly $2,800 back in your pocket immediately.
Don't just look at the $98,000 total cost of attendance and walk away. Look at the net price calculators provided by the Seaver College financial aid office. Most students find that the gap between the "sticker price" and the "actual price" is wide enough to make a Malibu education more than just a dream.
The next logical step for any prospective student is to use the Pepperdine Net Price Calculator with your 2024 or 2025 tax returns in hand to get a personalized estimate. This will give you a much clearer picture of your specific out-of-pocket costs before you commit to the application fee.