Pepperdine vs. University of San Francisco for an Undergraduate Business Degree

Pepperdine is a particularly compelling fit for a student who wants a smaller, residential Malibu experience, a liberal-arts-based business education, and access to the Los Angeles business ecosystem. Its undergraduate business program is housed in Seaver College, so business study is paired closely with broad liberal arts requirements and Pepperdine’s Christian mission.

Pepperdine also makes sense for someone comfortable with a campus culture shaped by Church of Christ heritage, including required religion coursework. The setting is beautiful but relatively removed from a major downtown, so internships often require planning, a car or transportation strategy, and initiative. Its smaller undergraduate environment can mean more direct access to professors and a close-knit peer network.

The University of San Francisco may suit a student who wants business to be integrated into a dense, urban professional environment from the start. Students who value frequent internship access during the academic year, city life, and exposure to a wide range of industries may prefer this setting.

USF’s Jesuit identity emphasizes ethics, service, and social responsibility, but its campus culture is typically more urban and diverse in day-to-day feel than Pepperdine’s.

For either school, the business degree itself will be strengthened most by internships, student organizations, networking, and career-center engagement. The key distinction is whether you would thrive in Pepperdine’s intimate, values-centered residential setting or USF’s city-based, Bay Area-connected environment.