Is Pepperdine University worth the cost? (in my case) Opinions Valued!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Pepperdine University
1

I’m a community college student who set her sights on Pepperdine University a couple of years ago while searching for teacher education programs. I had heard about Pepperdine as a kid, but never really gave it much thought. My research revealed that Pepperdine was a Christian university and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that considering that I was born and raised a Christian. I started pining after Pepperdine after viewing their location, and the opportunities that it offered.

Early this year, I applied to the university as a liberal studies major in order to get a multiple subject credential. The program is unique in a way because it allows you to obtain your B.A. and graduate with your credentials as well, it seems time efficient. Last month, I was accepted into the university and I was thrilled about it. I recently attended a newly admitted student event with my parents and I fell even more in love.

I’m a Christian girl who is not super conservative, but who is at a point life where I want to grow in my faith. The spiritual element of Pepperdine draws me in along with the teacher ed. program

However, there are a couple of problems:

  1. I’m super low-income (super, my parents would not be able to pay for my education, unlike other kids there)
  2. I was offered 43,000 in grants leaving me with a 23,000 loan/year or 46,000 for two years

MY QUESTION IS: Is Pepperdine worth the cost? Is that loan too high? Is it worth it, overall?
My biggest fear is making a grand financial mistake :frowning:

2

I think that $46K total loans is too high.

The average student loans are about $30K currently and so Pepperdine is charging a very large premium. It looks like a “grand financial mistake.”

You can grow your faith in many ways beyond college and/or your can find a faith-based school that will charge less, perhaps.

Maybe look at the “work colleges.” They are a group of schools, MOST of them (but not all) Christian faith based, that ask you to work as part of your tuition. They are less expensive than most colleges and of course the work experience is helpful for finding a job later. They also seem to be earnest in their faith, which may be attractive to you.

http://www.workcolleges.org/