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MalibuAirPhoto: The original uploader was Tillman at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 2.0
Colleges in and near Malibu

Malibu is home to Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University (6,741 students on campus) is inside the city. About 7% of Malibu’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as California (8%).

Pepperdine University

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Malibu. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
1
6,741 students on campus
Nearest college
5.5 mi
Pepperdine University
Residents in college
7%
About the same as CA (8%)
Nearest community college
17.5 mi
Los Angeles Pierce College · $1,238 tuition
Nearest public university
17.7 mi
California State University-Channel Islands · $7,159 in-state
Median household income
$194K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Malibu

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university in MalibuPepperdine University has 6,741 students on campus in Malibu, 83% of whom graduate within six years.A community college 17.5 miles awayLos Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills: tuition and fees $1,238 a year for California residents.In-state price at California State University-Channel IslandsLiving in California, California State University-Channel Islands charges $7,159 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $19,759. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 7% of residentsAbout the same as California (8%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Malibu

One private college within 5.5 miles. The nearest public four-year college, California State University-Channel Islands, is 17.7 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miPepperdine UniversityMalibu
University or collegeCommunity college
Pepperdine UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 6,741 on campus · In Malibu63%admitted$58knet price83%graduate$83kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at Over $110k, where Malibu’s median household income ($194,421) falls.

California State University-Channel Islands17.7 mi · Camarillo · sticker $23,561$20,473a year
Pepperdine UniversityIn Malibu · sticker $93,512$65,081a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k$100k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Pepperdine UniversityCalifornia State University-Channel Islands
Pepperdine University83% graduate$83k earnings$24k typical debt
California State University-Channel Islands51% graduate$62k earnings$15k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Malibu

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Pepperdine University, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 23%Communication 15%Social sciences 11%Interdisciplinary 11%Psychology 10%Parks & recreation 7%Everything else 22%

Biggest programs

Business Administration, Management and Operations186 graduates a year
$91k4 yrs out
Psychology, General89 graduates a year
$61k4 yrs out
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication85 graduates a year
$81k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness51 graduates a year
$65k4 yrs out
Political Science and Government38 graduates a year
$76k4 yrs out
Economics31 graduates a year
$105k4 yrs out
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft23 graduates a year
$51k4 yrs out
International/Globalization Studies18 graduates a year
$62k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Malibu

Is Malibu a college town?

No. About 7 of every 100 Malibu residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as California (8). The largest campus in the city, Pepperdine University, has 6,741 students on campus.

What colleges are in Malibu?

Pepperdine University is inside the city. Los Angeles Pierce College is 17.5 miles away in Woodland Hills.

What is the closest community college to Malibu, and what does it cost?

Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills, 17.5 miles away. Tuition and fees are $1,238 a year for California residents; the federal net price, $13,270, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does California State University-Channel Islands cost if we live in California?

Tuition and fees are $7,159 a year in-state and $19,759 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $6,857 (under $30,000 income) to $20,473 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Malibu. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →