Pepperdine University
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $74,509 |
| Tuition & Fees | $48,240 |
| Living Expenses | $26,269 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Graduate) | −$20,500 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $54,009 |
Cover Your $54,009 Gap
Pepperdine University Master of Laws (L.L.M.) students typically need $54,009 in private loans per year to bridge the gap between federal aid and cost of attendance. Pre-qualify with a soft credit check — no impact to your score.
Based on our analysis of 7,333 programs at 1,861 universities · thefundinggap.org
What This Means for You
Very large gap — requires careful evaluation
A $54,009/year gap means $54,009 in additional funding needed beyond federal loans over the program. This is among the largest gaps nationally. Carefully evaluate the return on investment before committing.
- Calculate your expected debt-to-income ratio using projected starting salaries
- Explore income-driven repayment options for the federal loan portion
- Request a meeting with the financial aid office to discuss all available institutional support
- Compare total cost with peer programs — the same degree may cost significantly less elsewhere
- Consider whether employer tuition assistance or military benefits apply to your situation
Need help navigating financial aid? Start with FAFSA
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal loan limit for Pepperdine University Master of Laws (L.L.M.) students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), Pepperdine University Master of Laws (L.L.M.) students can borrow up to $20,500 per year in federal Direct Loans. This is the graduate annual cap. The aggregate lifetime limit is $100,000 for graduate students.
Can I still get a Grad PLUS loan for Pepperdine University?
No. Starting July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS loan program is eliminated under the OBBBA. All graduate and professional students are subject to fixed annual borrowing caps ($20,500/year for graduate programs). Students who need additional funding beyond the cap must use private loans, institutional aid, scholarships, or personal funds.
How much does Pepperdine University Master of Laws (L.L.M.) cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for Pepperdine University Master of Laws (L.L.M.) is $74,509 per year. Over the full 1-year program, the total cost is $74,509.
What is the funding gap for Pepperdine University Master of Laws (L.L.M.)?
The annual funding gap is $54,009, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($74,509) and the federal loan cap ($20,500). This is close to the national median of $53,341 for Law (LLM) programs.
Is Pepperdine University Master of Laws (L.L.M.) classified as graduate or professional?
Pepperdine University Master of Laws (L.L.M.) is classified as graduate under 34 CFR § 668.2. This means the annual federal loan cap is $20,500/year, with an aggregate limit of $100,000. Note: Some law programs (e.g., LLM, MSL) are classified as graduate — not professional — meaning the lower $20,500 cap applies, not the $50,000 JD cap.
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Data Sources
- Cost of attendance: Sourced from Pepperdine University’s official tuition and fees page for the 2025–2026 academic year.
- Federal loan caps: Defined by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Public Law 119-21, Title VIII, Section 81001, amending 20 U.S.C. § 1087e(a), paragraph 4(A)(i).
- IPEDS data: Institutional characteristics from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (NCES), Unit ID: 121150.
- Program classification: LLM is classified as graduate per 34 CFR § 668.2, with an annual federal loan cap of $20,500.
Methodology
- Funding gap = Cost of Attendance − Federal Loan Cap. Negative values are reported as $0.
- Cost of attendance includes tuition, mandatory fees, and estimated living expenses (housing, food, books, transportation, personal).
- Rankings compare programs within the same degree type nationally, sorted by annual funding gap from lowest to highest.
- Default COA assumes full-time enrollment, out-of-state residency (where applicable), no scholarships or grants, and no prior federal debt.
Data last updated: January 2026. Effective date for OBBBA loan caps: July 1, 2026.
A student at Pepperdine University Master of Laws (L.L.M.) faces an annual funding gap of $54,009 based on a cost of attendance of $74,509 minus the federal graduate loan cap of $20,500. Based on data from “The 2026 Graduate Education Funding Crisis — A Data Report” available on thefundinggap.org.