Malibu's Pepperdine University Rises To Top 50 In 2017 U.S. News Best Colleges Rankings

MALIBU, CA -- Malibu's Pepperdine University climbed to the top 50 of U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, advancing two spots higher than its 2016 ranking of number 52.

According to the publication, "The National Universities category consists of the 310 institutions-189 public, 114 private, and seven for-profit-that offer a wide range of undergraduate majors, as well as master's and doctoral degrees; some emphasize research. Data on up to 15 indicators of academic quality are gathered from each institution and tabulated. Schools are ranked by their total weighted score."

Advancing from number 50 to number 48, Pepperdine's Seaver College was recognized as maintaining one of the country's "Best Undergraduate Business Programs," a ranking that is determined solely by surveys of business-school deans and senior faculty. Pepperdine climbed eight spots, from number 35 to number 28, in the publication's "The High School Counselor's Top College Picks," for which high school counselors are asked to take into account the insights they use to direct students to particular colleges, in addition to their general knowledge about each school.

A nod to Pepperdine's academic quality, the University was ranked number 29 for national "Best Value Schools," which also takes into account the 2015-2016 net cost of attendance for a student who received the average level of need-based financial aid.

Additionally, Pepperdine advanced a full 13 spots, from number 42 to number 29, as one of America's "Best Colleges for Veterans." Pepperdine is an active participant in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program, which enables 72 percent of the University's current student veterans to attend tuition free.

Pepperdine was also recognized for maintaining an 84 percent graduation rate and a high freshman retention rate of 93 peercent.

Pepperdine's International Programs, which provides students with life-changing experiences designed for intellectual, social, personal, and spiritual transformation, was also included on the publication's list of "Best Programs to Look For."

-- News release from Pepperdine. Patch file photo.