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Pepperdine University

EIN 95-1644037 · Malibu, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY IS A CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY COMMITTED TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND CHRISTIAN VALUES, WHERE STUDENTS ARE STRENGTHENED FOR LIVES OF PURPOSE, SERVICE, AND LEADERSHIP. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Income
$755.1 million
Spending
$666.5 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
5.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 73%
Employees
5,155
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$1.3 million, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 21 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $233.8 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES, INCLUDING SCHOLARSHIPS TO ENROLLED STUDENTS - THERE ARE MANY AUXILIARY SERVICES OFFERED TO THE STUDENTS TO PROMOTE THEIR INTELLECTUAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT. PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY MAINTAINS MULTIPLE DINING AND HOUSING FACILITIES, A BOOKSTORE, BANKING SERVICES, PARKING FACILITIES LOCATED ALL OVER CAMPUS, TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, RECREATIONAL FIELDS, AND MAIL SERVICES. IN ADDITION TO THESE FACILITIES AND SERVICES, PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY OFFERS APPROXIMATELY 83% OF ITS TOTAL STUDENT BODY FINANCIAL AID IN THE FORM OF VARIOUS SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, AND LOANS.
  2. $126.8 million spent. ACADEMIC SUPPORT - PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY EQUIPS STUDENTS WITH ACADEMIC SUPPORT TO ENSURE STUDENTS REACH THEIR EDUCATIONAL GOALS. UNIVERSITY SERVICES SUCH AS THE LIBRARY, TECH CENTRAL, PEPPERDINE COUNSELING CENTER, THE HEALTH CENTER, AND ONE STOP, THE PRIMARY ACADEMIC ADVISING CENTER, ASSIST IN THE WELL-BEING AND ACADEMIC PROGRESS OF THE UNIVERSITY'S STUDENTS.
  3. $118.9 million spent. INSTRUCTION AND RESEARCH - PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY IS A TOP CHRISTIAN INSTITUTION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, AND SERVES APPROXIMATELY 3,600 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AND 5,400 GRADUATE STUDENTS. IN ADDITION TO THE UNIVERSITY'S CAMPUSES IN CALIFORNIA, PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY MAINTAINS SEVERAL STUDENT LEARNING PROGRAMS IN LOCATIONS SUCH AS EUROPE, SOUTH AMERICA, AND WASHINGTON D.C. PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY BELIEVES IN A LOW STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO (13:1) AND HAS AN AVERAGE CLASS SIZE OF 18. THE UNIVERSITY OFFERS 43 MAJORS THAT UNDERGRADUATES CAN PURSUE, AS WELL AS 38 GRADUATE DEGREES, INCLUDING SEVEN DOCTORAL DEGREES.
  4. $28.0 million spent. PUBLIC SERVICE - THE UNIVERSITY OFFERS NUMEROUS SERVICES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, INCLUDING ART EXHIBITS, CONCERTS, PRODUCTIONS, AND OTHER PUBLIC BENEFIT ACTIVITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending July 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1940.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.