Pepperdine University - Rankings and Reputation

Rankings and Reputation

The Princeton Review ranked Pepperdine on the list of colleges with "Dorms Like Palaces" in 2004 and 2007 and #1 under "Most Beautiful Campus" in 2006 and 2007. Pepperdine also appeared on other lists including "Students Pray on a Regular Basis" and "High Quality of Life." Because of its Christian affiliation, some contend that the student body breeds a religious and politically conservative atmosphere. Princeton Review also ranked Pepperdine University #13 in its list "Alternative Lifestyles not an Alternative". In 2007 Pepperdine was named as "One of the Top Producing Colleges and Universities" by the Peace Corps of America. The 2005 edition of the Fiske Guide to Colleges has also noted Pepperdine as being one of the nation's largest conservative colleges. U.S. News & World Report (see “Pepperdine at Glance” in the external links section) has ranked Pepperdine as the 53rd best national university for undergraduate education. It is also ranked one of the 10 worst party schools in the country.

The School of Law placed 49th among the nation's "Top 100" law schools by the 2013 U.S. News and World Report rankings and is the third highest ranked law school in Southern California. It is known for its entertainment law, and also its dispute resolution program, which is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation.

In 2010, US News ranked Pepperdine's business school tied with Santa Clara University at 82 in America. It ranked its part-time program 9th best in California. Forbes magazine has ranked the Graziadio School's Fully Employed MBA programs in the world's Top 20 based on ROI. In 2008, the magazine In Tune for music educators named Pepperdine one of the 38 best music schools in the United States. In 2009, the Sustainable Endowments Institute awarded Pepperdine a "C" for its sustainability efforts in the annual College Sustainability Report Card.

The Nickelodeon series, Zoey 101 was shot on Pepperdine's Malibu campus. Pepperdine signs were covered with trendy, purple signs reading "Pacific Coast Academy", the name of the boarding school attended by the students on the show.

Late 2011, Pepperdine stirred controversy when it denied official recognition to an LGBT student organization, Reach OUT, for failure to meet the traditional Christian mission of the university. A statement in the group's constitution reads that it would not "endorse sexual relationships." The group still meets on campus but does not receive other perks of recognition. Students Alexander Cooper and Lindsay Jakows circulated a petition that received nearly 7,500 signatures in support of Reach OUT.