Pepperdine University, The George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management Admission
Pepperdine University, The George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management Undergraduate Program
Pepperdine University, The George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management Application

The Facts

Pepperdine University is a rather moderately sized, private institution located in the town of Culver City, California, and is affiliated with the Church of Christ. The university has a combined enrollment of over 6,800 undergraduate and graduate students, however, the graduate School of Business and Management is significantly smaller, with only about 2,100 graduate students, both full and part-time.

Approximately 85% of currently enrolled students have had an average of 2 to 3 years of full-time professional experience, which the admissions committee takes into serious consideration when reviewing applications. Because of this fact, the average age of enrollment is around 27, however, ages in the school range from 22 all the way up to 41. About 15% of currently enrolled students entered directly from undergraduate school, and about 3% of students already have a graduate degree of some sort. The school is perhaps best known for its heavy emphasis on teamwork and problem solving, as well as its use of case study and the practical application of theoretical notions.

The graduate school of Business and Management offers its students graduate degrees in the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of International Business (MIB), Master of Science in Organizational Development (MSOD), Master of Science in Technology Management (MSTM), as well as joint degrees in law (MBA/JD), and public policy (MPP/MBA). The school also offers foreign exchange with 15 countries as well as internships with regional and European and Latin American companies. Some of the most popular areas of study include courses in management, marketing, finance, international business, as well as organizational development.

Admission to Pepperdine University's George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management is extremely competitive among those who apply; last year, over 1,785 students applied for admission to the school and approximately 1,157 of those students were accepted. Eventually however, only about 807 of the admitted students actually enrolled for the coming semester. The admitted students had an average undergraduate GPA of about a 3.2, as well as an average GMAT score of 625. The admissions committee requires all applicants to have a minimum undergraduate GPA of at least a 2.5, and a minimum GMAT score of at least 500. Students are able to start graduate course work in either fall, spring, or summer, and admissions decisions are given out on a rolling basis.

The graduate school of business and management has 77 full-time faculty members, of whom 92% hold a doctorate degree. The school is also home to 99 part-time faculty members, of whom 55% hold a doctorate. The average graduate business class is about 22 students, and most teachers have at least 6 courses at a time.

Placement Services

The school has very extensive placement services for students; last year, 60 companies were actively recruiting on campus, many of which were national and even international corporations. The majors most in demand by these companies were finance, management, marketing, as well as international business. The average starting salary of last year's graduating class was about $56,333, although it ranged significantly. Approximately 80% of the most recent graduating class were able to find a job within three months of receiving their degree.

What's Good

"You couldn't ask for better placement services; you always feel like there's someone there to give you great advice."

"Tons of incredible companies come here to recruit; it's a sign that this school's name means a lot in the business world."

"The faculty is amazing, and really dedicated to their work here."

What's Bad

"There is a lot of competition and pressure that can begin to drive you a little nuts."

"There are quite a few course requirements to complete outside of you actual area of focus, which can be annoying sometimes."

"There is a sense of elitism among the students who may have had more professional experience."

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