How hard is it to get into Chapman vs Pepperdine for undergraduate admissions?

Pepperdine is typically a bit harder to get into than Chapman, though they are in a fairly similar band of selectivity. In practice, both schools expect solid grades in challenging classes, but Pepperdine often feels somewhat more selective because its applicant pool is broad, its enrollment is smaller, and it is looking for students who fit its distinctive mission and campus culture. Chapman is still selective, especially in popular programs, but it can feel a little more accessible overall.

Pepperdine tends to fit students who are comfortable with a more values-driven environment and who can show a strong match with the school’s Christian identity, residential campus culture, and Malibu setting. That does not mean you must be from a particular religious background, but it does help if your application makes clear why that environment appeals to you. A student with strong academics, steady extracurricular involvement, and a clear sense of fit often reads especially well there.

Chapman can be a strong match for students who want a private California university experience with more of a preprofessional and creative-energy feel. It is especially well known for areas like film, performing arts, and business, and some of those programs can be tougher to enter than Chapman overall.

If you are comparing them as a junior, the realistic takeaway is that neither is a casual safety for most applicants. Pepperdine may edge out Chapman in difficulty overall, but your major matters at Chapman, and your personal fit matters a lot at Pepperdine. A student who seems like a natural match for Pepperdine’s culture could be more competitive there than at a highly sought-after Chapman program, even if the schools look similar at first glance.