Home » Law Schools » Rankings and Profiles »
Pepperdine University School of Law
A school with a solid reputation and a dream-come-true Malibu location is certain to attract applications from students all over the country and the world. And Pepperdine does. With its strong academic programs, knowledgeable and hands-on faculty, and stunning campus, Pepperdine Law seems a likely candidate for a continued rankings boost. Pepperdine Law holds a unique position in legal education with its combination of academic and research excellence with a deep-rooted commitment to its Christian mission. The school's Dean Paul Caron, a widely respected tax law scholar, says, "Our students are equipped to lead and empowered to serve in the rapidly changing legal landscape they enter. If you are looking for an elite law school that will invest in you academically, personally, and professionally—one that will know you and your passions and help you realize your dreams for a purposeful and rewarding career—there is simply no place like Pepperdine."
Contents
History
The Pepperdine Caruso School of Law began in Santa Ana, California, in 1964. Pepperdine University acquired the school in 1969, and by 1975, the school had received its full ABA approval and full State Bar accreditation. In 1978, the school moved to Pepperdine's 830-acre campus in Malibu, California. Good Faith tells the story of how the school grew from humble origins to become one of the premier law schools in the United States.
Admissions
Pepperdine is a great place to go to law school. Their community is united by their commitment to Christian values and rigorous legal training. They have diverse backgrounds and faiths, but they all share the same goal of reaching higher than they ever thought possible.
Pepperdine School of Law's mission is to enroll students who demonstrate outstanding academic and professional promise. They seek to admit students from diverse backgrounds in order to create an enriched learning environment. Their Christian heritage motivates them to maintain a strong commitment to diversity.
Statistics
| Admissions Stats | ||
| Class of: | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT | 159 - 162 - 164 | 159 - 164 - 166 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA | 3.4 - 3.68 - 3.78 | 3.48 - 3.8 - 3.91 |
| Acceptance rate | 28.2% | 25.0% |
| Applications received | 3546 | 4454 |
| Acceptances | 1000 | 1112 |
| Matriculants | 486 | 480 |
The Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law is located in Malibu, California. The school was ranked 52nd in the nation by US News and World Report in 2022. Each year, the school enrolls approximately 217 students. During the 2022 application cycle, 4,454 people applied, and 1,112 were offered admission. Of that offered admission, 202 were accepted, meaning the school had a yield of 18.17%. The median LSAT score for first-year students at Pepperdine University is 164. The 25th percentile LSAT score is 159, and the 75th percentile LSAT score is 166. The median GPA is 3.8. The 25th percentile GPA is 3.48, and the 75th percentile GPA is 3.91.
Application Fee
The Pepperdine Caruso School of Law requires that each candidate submit a completed application for admission. The deadlines are: For the Accelerated Two-Year JD, the final deadline is February 1. For the Traditional Three-Year JD, the priority deadline is February 1 and the final deadline is April 1.
The Pepperdine Caruso School of Law requires all applicants to have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university prior to registration for law school. The School of Law charges a $60 non-refundable application fee. The fee is waived for the 2023 application. To read more about how to obtain a fee waiver, click here.
Resumé
When applying to attend the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, you must include a resumé that details your work history, academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and community involvement. To read some advice about creating a professional law school resume, click here.
Personal Statement
Please include a two- to four-page, double-spaced personal statement indicating fully your reasons for wanting to study law, why you chose to apply to Pepperdine Caruso Law, significant extracurricular and/or civic activities, and any further information that you feel should be considered by the Admissions Committee. If you desire, please discuss any applicable factors that would bring diversity to the class including racial or ethnic origin, age, work experience, geographical origin, and socioeconomic background. For more information on personal statements and application essays, check out the TLS Guide to Personal Statements.
Optional Statement
Pepperdine 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. Caruso Law's dedication to our Christian mission drives a deep desire to embody and imbue in our students the highest standards of ethics and morality. They are proud to have a strong Christian faculty that also includes several professors from other faiths. They welcome students of all faiths, as well as students who are not part of any faith tradition. Their complete mission and vision can be found here. Please share how you would contribute to this unique community.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required. The letters should be from people who can best assess your ability to succeed in law school. Ideally, at least one of the recommendations should be from a faculty member who you studied under while getting your undergraduate degree. Your relatives should not be asked to submit recommendations. To get some additional advice on obtaining letters of recommendation, click here.
Tuition and Expenses
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law is a school that is dedicated to helping students explore different ways to finance their education. The tuition and fee charges for the 2022-2023 academic year are subject to change for future years, but the following charges are currently in effect.
Cost of Attendance
| Cost of Attendance (JD)
2022-2023 Academic Year | |
| Item | Cost |
| Tuition | (flat rate) $63,660 |
| Room | $18,800.00 |
| Board | $3,200.00 |
| SBA Fees | $60.00 |
| Wellness Fee | $500.00 |
| Books | $1,200.00 |
| Transportation | $1,600.00 |
| Medical Expenses | $900.00 |
| Personal Expenses | $5,900.00 |
| Total | 95,820.00 |
The cost of attendance for the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law for the 2022-2023 academic year is an estimated average of $55,000. This figure represents the maximum total financial aid package a law student can expect to receive per year. The cost of attendance covers tuition, fees, books, and living expenses for the nine-month academic year. However, your actual expenses may differ from those listed here. You may have lower expenses in one category which can compensate for higher expenses in another category. They strongly encourage all students to take steps towards reducing or eliminating outstanding financial obligations prior to beginning law school so that this cost of attendance will be sufficient to meet your needs as a full-time student. Individual counseling is available to assist students with debt management and financial planning issues so they are well-prepared for life after law school.
Financial Aid
The Office of Financial Assistance is dedicated to providing all students with a positive financial aid experience. They work hard to provide resources and assistance throughout the application process and beyond. Their goal is to make sure that students are able to attend law school without worrying about finances. They hope to be a valuable resource for each and every one of their students.
Transfer
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law accepts transfer applications from students who attend ABA-accredited law schools. To be considered a competitive transfer applicant, you should finish in the top 25% of your first-year class. The Academic Dean will determine the amount of advanced standing credit you are allowed. Typically, 30 units of credit will be accepted, and no credit will be allowed for courses unless you earned at least a D in such a course. The maximum amount of credit allowed for transfer is 44 units. There is no set minimum; however, you must have completed most of Pepperdine's first-year required courses. These include Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Introduction to Ethical Lawyering, Legal Research & Writing I & II, and Property and Torts.To read a fantastic article about transferring, click here.
Employment Prospects & Bar Passage
The median salary for a JD graduate from Pepperdine University who works in the private sector is $83,500. If they work in the private sector, they can expect to make $64,500. 56.5% of law graduates from Pepperdine University go directly to work for law firms, while 6.5% clerk for a judge. 3.2% of graduates go into public interest. 78.6% of Pepperdine University graduates pass the bar on their first try.
Caruso School of Law at Pepperdine has a 7.1:1 student-faculty ratio, which means students get personal attention from published scholars and experts in the field. This is one of the things that makes their law school nationally recognized. The professors focus on both teaching and research, so students get the most current information and guidance.
Pepperdine University is ranked #1 in the United States for its dispute resolution program. The Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution is celebrated for its mediation, arbitration, and negotiation skills in both litigation and international affairs communities.
At Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, they assemble a diverse entering class that reflects their vision for challenging and successful study. Pepperdine Caruso Law is a place where your peers both challenge and support you.
Total JD Enrollment: 551
Women: 59%
Diversity: 30%
1L JD Enrollment: 192
Women: 61%
Students of Color: 27%
First Generation College Students: 21%
Academics
Pepperdine University has some truly stellar academic programs. The Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution program is the #1 program in the country according to the USNews specialty rankings, and the school is known to be one of the best for entertainment law. Pepperdine is also strong in tax law, international law, and intellectual property, among other fields. In addition to a traditional JD, the school offers joint degree programs, a Master of Laws (LLM), an Online Master of Legal Studies (MLS), certificates in dispute resolution and entertainment, media, and sports (EMS), and other programs for professionals.
The faculty and staff display an uncompromising devotion to each student's personal development and career goals. Students can engage in trial advocacy programs and competitions, an annual professional formation week, judicial clerkships, clinical programs, and global justice initiatives. Additionally, The Nootbaar Institute regularly hosts a conference on an important and thought-provoking topic. Addressing a wide range of issues such as religious freedom, human rights, and diversity, the Institute seeks to bring top scholars, lawyers, students, and the community together to ultimately have a positive impact on society.
Advocacy Programs
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law fields outstanding teams each year to compete against law schools from across the nation in Interschool Trial and Appellate Advocacy Competitions.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are primarily student-run, and events are as varied as social gatherings, guest speakers, fundraising drives, and service opportunities.
Journals
The Pepperdine Law Review is a scholarly legal journal edited and published by students selected on the basis of scholarship and the ability to do creative research and writing. Students write comments and notes on legal developments and significant cases, as well as edit the lead articles and book reviews written by professors, lawyers, judges, legislators, and other scholars. Staff membership on the Pepperdine Law Review is recognized as both an honor and a unique educational experience.
Curriculum
The Juris Doctor (JD) degree is awarded to students who complete 88 units of coursework at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. Along with completing the upper-division writing, upper-division skills, and experiential learning requirements, students are prepared to graduate practice-ready. Co-curricular experiential learning opportunities are available through clinical work, externship experience, and international study programs. Advocacy programs offer students the opportunity to compete at the highest levels of moot court competition against law schools worldwide.
Clinical Education Program
The Pepperdine Clinical Education Program provides students with opportunities to practice law, work with clients, learn from expert practitioners, observe the work of lawyers and courts, grow as professionals, and seek justice in their communities. Students may choose from clinics and diverse externships and practicums.
Externships
Externships offer students the opportunity to learn about the law in a practical setting. Students are able to work with experienced attorneys and real clients while practicing essential lawyering skills. This experience allows students to build relationships with professionals in the legal field and apply their education to helping actual clients.
Public Interest Practicum
The Public Interest Practicum is a field placement program in which students work with NLSLA to provide legal assistance to individuals in various areas of law, including housing, bankruptcy, family law, public benefits, immigration, and disaster relief. Under the supervision of NLSLA attorneys, students will conduct client intakes, provide legal advice and representation, conduct legal research, and write legal briefs.
Quality of Life
At Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, they pride themselves on their excellent academics and beautiful campus. But what really sets them apart is their community. Their spiritual foundation, highly accessible faculty and over 30 student-led organizations provide students with a wealth of opportunities to explore their interests and supplement their classroom experience. This unique environment creates an amazing law school experience that prepares students for success in their legal careers.
Housing
Malibu campus enhances academic study with beautiful surroundings and daily access to your peers and mentors. Proximity to Los Angeles means access to an international hub for careers and culture.
- On-Campus Housing and Residence Life
The George Page Residential Complex is located across the street from the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. The recently renovated complex houses the majority of Pepperdine Caruso School of Law students who live on campus.
- Off-Campus Housing and Residence Life
Many students choose to live off campus. Some live in Malibu itself, where options range from rented rooms to apartments, but most commute from surrounding cities like Calabasas, Westlake Village, Woodland Hills, and Santa Monica.
Life in Malibu
The Malibu campus of Pepperdine University is a great place to study law. The combination of its proximity to a busy metropolitan area and its serene beauty makes it the ideal location for law students. The Odell McConnell Law Center is also on the Malibu campus, and it was dedicated by United States Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist.
Spiritual Life
The Pepperdine Caruso School of Law is a school that bases its teachings on the Christian tradition. However, individuals of any faith or no faith tradition are welcomed into the Pepperdine community.
Transportation
In addition to the on-campus shuttle at Pepperdine University, there are many options for getting around Malibu and Los Angeles, and to and from local airports.
Synopsis
Pepperdine has risen further and faster than any law school in America. No place can match its distinctive Pepperdine community, marked by excellence, Christian values, and rigorous legal training. Diverse in their backgrounds and faiths, they are united in their commitment to encourage you to reach higher than you ever thought possible. Pepperdine Law offers a wonderful experience, full of beautiful scenery and engaging academics. To be sure, it is a mix hard to find elsewhere. While TLS always recommends that you visit any law school that you are considering, this is particularly true of beautiful Pepperdine.
Contact Information
Caruso School of Law
Office of Admissions
Pepperdine Caruso Law
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263
Phone: 310.506.4631
Email: lawadmis@pepperdine.edu
https://law.pepperdine.edu/degrees-programs/juris-doctor/
Summary
| Established | 1969 |
| Location | Malibu, CA |
| Dean | Paul L. Caron |
| 2022 US News Ranking | 52nd |
| LSAT Median Score | 164 |
| GPA Median Score | 3.8 |
| Bar Passage Rate | 78% (2022) |
| Employment Rate | 33% (2022) |
| Cost | $63,660 |
| Average Debt | $133,549 |
| Application Deadline | April 1, 2023 |
Forum and Discussion
Pepperdine University School of Law Discussions
Law School Admissions Forums
Law Student Forums
Law School Class Forums
Reference
https://law.pepperdine.edu/
Rank #52
LSD Law
LSAC Guide
How to Learn to Do Well on a Law School Exam
Success in Law School - A Unique Perspective
The Guide to Law School Loans
Guide to Fee Waivers
