Pepperdine vs. University of San Diego: Which Is Better for Accounting?

For a student focused specifically on accounting, the University of San Diego is likely the more direct academic fit. USD’s Knauss School of Business offers accounting as a dedicated undergraduate major, which makes it easier to build a transcript centered on financial reporting, auditing, tax, and accounting information systems.

USD suits students who want accounting to be their primary discipline from the start and who value a structured route into CPA-oriented coursework. Students should still plan carefully for California’s CPA education requirement, since a bachelor’s degree alone often does not supply all required units.

Pepperdine can be a compelling choice for a student who wants a broader undergraduate experience at Seaver College, with business studies framed through Pepperdine’s Christian, values-centered environment and access to the Los Angeles market. Rather than choosing Pepperdine solely because of its Malibu location, confirm the current Seaver accounting curriculum, available accounting concentration or coursework, and the way it fits your CPA plan.

Pepperdine makes more sense when its campus culture, liberal-arts setting, faith-based mission, and Los Angeles connections matter enough to you that you are comfortable building a more individualized accounting pathway.