Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University is a private Christian research university affiliated with the Churches of Christ, with its main campus in Malibu, California. Founded in 1937, the university began in South Los Angeles and later relocated its primary campus to Malibu overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Pepperdine comprises Seaver College for undergraduate studies and four graduate schools, including law, business, education and psychology, and public policy. It is classified as a Research 2 institution with high research activity. The university attracts students interested in a liberal arts education grounded in Christian values, as well as those pursuing professional and graduate programs in Southern California and at international campuses.

Pepperdine University was founded in 1937 in South Los Angeles by entrepreneur George Pepperdine, who envisioned a Christian institution committed to academic excellence and faith. The original George Pepperdine College opened that year with Batsell Baxter serving as its first president. In 1968, the university accepted land in Malibu, and in 1972 it relocated its main campus to the coastal site overlooking the Pacific Ocean. During the 1970s and 1980s, Pepperdine University expanded its academic offerings and governance structure, adding graduate and professional schools and strengthening its national profile. Over time, the institution developed into a university composed of Seaver College and four graduate schools. Today, Pepperdine University operates its primary campus in Malibu along with additional domestic and international programs, reflecting its growth from a small Los Angeles college into a comprehensive private university.