How does campus life compare at Pepperdine and Fordham?

Pepperdine is the more cohesive, residential campus-life choice, while Fordham offers a more urban, independent rhythm connected to New York City. Pepperdine’s Malibu location, smaller campus setting, and strong emphasis on community make student life feel more centered on the university itself. Fordham can feel more varied because students divide their time between campus traditions and the opportunities of the surrounding city.

At Pepperdine, many students live on or near campus and socialize through residence halls, student organizations, campus events, outdoor activities, and trips to the beach or nearby Los Angeles neighborhoods. The university’s Church of Christ heritage remains visible in its spiritual-life programming and values-based community, though students come from a range of backgrounds. Its location is exceptionally scenic but relatively removed, so having a car or planning transportation can matter for off-campus life.

Fordham’s Rose Hill campus in the Bronx has a more traditional enclosed-campus feel than many people expect in New York, with residence-hall life, school spirit, and established student traditions. At the same time, students can take public transit into Manhattan for internships, restaurants, concerts, museums, and social plans. Fordham also has a Lincoln Center campus in Manhattan, so the overall student culture is less centered in one place than Pepperdine’s.

Socially, Pepperdine tends to be more relaxed, outdoors-oriented, and campus-based. Fordham’s atmosphere is often busier and more self-directed: students may have a club meeting or campus event one evening and spend the next exploring the city.