Pepperdine Graziadio Business School

What Pepperdine Graziadio Business School does

Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, founded in 1969, is the graduate business school of Pepperdine University, a private nonprofit institution headquartered in Malibu, California. The school delivers a wide continuum of degree programs spanning Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA, Executive MBA, Presidents and Key Executives MBA, Online MBA, Doctor of Business Administration, specialized Master of Science degrees (Applied Finance, Business Analytics, Global Business, Real Estate, Organization Development, Business), online MS variants, joint degrees (JD/MBA, MBA/MPP), bachelor's degree completion, and non-degree executive education. Programs are delivered across four California campuses (Malibu, West LA, Irvine, Calabasas), through online platforms, and via 40+ university exchange partners in 25+ countries. Specialty centers include the Center for Women in Leadership and the Institute for Entertainment, Media, and Sports.

The school's underlying technology stack combines a STEM-designated Applied Finance curriculum integrating AI and machine learning, exclusive on-campus Bloomberg Professional Services terminals, the proprietary ncpen R package for non-convex penalized estimation developed by faculty, and the Education-to-Business (E2B) experiential client-project framework cited as a "best experience" by over 7,000 graduates. Experiential components include one-week Global Business Intensives, full-trimester exchanges, and the Most Fundable Companies competition (now integrated with Startup World Cup).

Revenue is generated primarily from tuition across full-time, part-time, executive, online, and global programs, supplemented by executive education fees, Global Business Intensive program fees, and application/enrollment deposits. The customer base spans prospective graduate students, working professionals and senior executives, international F-1 students (supported by STEM OPT eligibility), veterans (supported by a ~$3M annual Yellow Ribbon subsidy with no enrollment cap), adult degree-completers, and early-stage startups participating in the Most Fundable Companies competition. Distribution is sales-led through dedicated Recruitment Advisors, multi-channel marketing (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X/Twitter, email/SMS/WhatsApp, virtual and in-person events), and faculty PR in outlets such as CNBC, Axios, and Inside Retail.

Name

Pepperdine Graziadio Business School

Legal name

Pepperdine University

Website

https://bschool.pepperdine.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, founded in 1969, offers AACSB-accredited graduate business education including MBA, MS, doctorate, and executive programs across four Southern California campuses and online, serving working professionals, international students, veterans, and early-stage founders through values-based, experiential learning.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Graduate Business Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Education & Corporate Programs (Non-degree) (EDAHAHAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Real Estate & Construction Management Schools (within Business Schools) (EDAHAHAM), Finance, Accounting & Economics Schools (EDAHAHAD)

Keywords

• Graduate business education
• MBA programs
• Executive education
• Specialized master's degrees
• Business school degrees

Headquarters

HQ city

Malibu

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Graduate Degree Program Tuition: The school generates primary revenue from tuition for full-time, part-time, and executive MBA programs; doctorate programs; master's degrees in Applied Finance, Business Analytics, Global Business, Real Estate, Organization Development, and Business; and undergraduate degree completion programs. Tuition varies by program with separate cost pages for MS in Applied Finance (MSAF) and MS in Real Estate (MSRE).
2. Online Degree Program Tuition: Revenue from online MBA, Online MS in Business Analytics, Online MS in Human Resources, Online MS in Management and Leadership, and Online BS in Management programs, each with dedicated enrollment channels and pricing.
3. Executive Education and Non-Degree Programs: Non-degree professional development courses offered through executive education, generating revenue from participants not pursuing full degree programs. Contact: [email protected].
4. Global Programs and International Student Fees: Revenue from Global Business Intensives (one-week international trips with program fees covering accommodation, company visits, cultural activities, and some meals) and trimester exchange programs with partner universities. Program fees are separate from tuition.
5. Application and Enrollment Fees: Revenue from enrollment deposits and application processes. Students submit deposits to secure admission, which are referenced across admissions pages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Pepperdine Graziadio Business School delivers a wide continuum of graduate business degree programs—including full-time, part-time, executive, online, and Presidents MBAs; specialized master's degrees in Applied Finance, Business Analytics, Global Business, Real Estate, Organization Development, and Business; a Doctor of Business Administration; joint JD/MBA and MBA/MPP degrees; bachelor's degree completion; and non-degree executive education—across four California graduate campuses (Malibu, West Los Angeles, Irvine, Calabasas), online, and through global exchange and intensive programs. The school combines AACSB-accredited values-centered curricula with experiential learning via the E2B client-project program, exclusive Bloomberg terminal access for finance students, and a STEM-designated Applied Finance curriculum integrating AI and machine learning.

Product overview

Pepperdine Graziadio Business School offers a comprehensive portfolio of graduate business education programs delivered across four California graduate campuses (Malibu, West Los Angeles, Irvine, Calabasas), online, and in hybrid formats. The school provides a full continuum of degree programs including Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA, Executive MBA, Online MBA, and Presidents and Key Executives MBA; doctoral programs (Doctor of Business Administration); specialized Master's degrees (MS in Applied Finance, MS in Business Analytics, MS in Global Business, MS in Real Estate, MS in Organization Development, MS in Business); online variants of key programs; joint degrees (JD/MBA, MBA/MPP); and non-degree executive education. The school operates specialized centers including the Center for Women in Leadership and Institute for Entertainment, Media, and Sports. Experiential learning is provided through Education to Business (E2B) client projects and global programs including Global Business Intensives (one-week international immersions) and Trimester Exchange Programs at 27+ partner universities. The school also hosts the Most Fundable Companies competition in partnership with Startup World Cup. Programs are designed with ethical, sustainable business principles and emphasize experiential, values-based education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Full-Time MBA A full-time Master of Business Administration program designed for students who can commit to immersive, on-campus study at the Drescher Graduate Campus in Malibu.
• Part-Time MBA An MBA program designed for working professionals who want to pursue their degree while continuing their careers, offered at regional campuses and online.
• Executive MBA An MBA program designed for senior executives and managers with significant professional experience.
• Online MBA A fully online Master of Business Administration program offering flexibility for remote learners, delivered via online learning platform with dedicated enrollment advisors.
• Presidents and Key Executives MBA An executive MBA program designed for presidents and top-level executives.
• Doctor of Business Administration A doctoral program for business scholars and practitioners seeking advanced research and academic credentials.
• MS in Applied Finance A STEM-designated Master of Science program preparing students for careers in finance, offering specializations in financial management or investments with Bloomberg terminal access and a 24-month OPT extension eligibility for F-1 international students.
• MS in Business Analytics A Master of Science program focused on data analytics, business intelligence, and quantitative analysis methods.
• MS in Global Business A Master of Science program developing deep understanding of the global economy and international market operations.
• MS in Real Estate A 12-month AACSB-accredited Master of Science program combining real estate finance, development, and asset management with hands-on E2B client projects, CCIM Fast-Track certification, and California Real Estate broker license articulation.
• MS in Organization Development A Master of Science program focused on organizational change, leadership development, and human capital management.
• MS in Business A general Master of Science in Business program providing broad business knowledge and skills.
• Online MS in Business Analytics A fully online version of the MS in Business Analytics program for remote students.
• Online MS in Human Resources An online program focused on human resources management, labor relations, and talent development.
• Online MS in Management and Leadership An online graduate program developing leadership and management competencies.
• Online BS in Management A bachelor's degree completion program in business management available fully online.
• JD/MBA Joint Degree A combined Juris Doctor and MBA program offered in partnership with Pepperdine Caruso School of Law.
• MBA/MPP Joint Degree A combined MBA and Master of Public Policy program for students interested in public sector leadership.
• Executive Education Non-Degree Programs Professional development programs for executives seeking continued education without pursuing a full degree.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,300 early-stage companies evaluated from all 50 states in 2025 Most Fundable Companies program
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Startup World CupflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2026Pepperdine Graziadio Business School expanded its Most Fundable Companies (MFC) competition through a partnership with Startup World Cup, integrating the Los Angeles Regional competition into the MFC Showcase for the first time. One MFC winner will advance to the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in San Francisco to compete for a $1 million investment prize. This builds on the success of EarthGrid, which won MFC 2022 and the 2024 World Championship. The 2026 program is open to U.S.-based startups with revenues under $10 million.
• 40+ University Exchange PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPepperdine Graziadio Business School maintains trimester exchange partnerships with over 40 universities across 25+ countries. European partners include EDC Paris Business School, KEDGE Business School, ESSEC Business School, EM Strasbourg, NEOMA, EDHEC (France), WHU Otto Beisheim, University of Mannheim (Germany), Maastricht University (Netherlands), IE Business School, EADA (Spain), Lund University (Sweden), University of St. Gallen (Switzerland), MCI The Entrepreneurial School (Austria), Solvay Brussels School (Belgium), Copenhagen Business School (Denmark), Aston Business School (England). Asian partners include City University of Hong Kong, KAIST College of Business (South Korea), Tsinghua University (China), Sun Yat-sen University (China). African partner: University of Stellenbosch Business School (South Africa). Latin American partners include CENTRUM Catolica (Peru), Fundacao Getulio Vargas (Brazil), Universidad Adolfo Ibanez (Chile). Australian partner: Griffith University Business School.
• Bloomberg LPcoreTechnology or IntegrationBloomberg LP provides Bloomberg Professional Services terminals exclusively on the Pepperdine campus for use by MS in Applied Finance students. This gives students real-time access to financial data, analytics, and trading tools used by finance professionals globally, supporting the STEM-designated curriculum.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• IE Business School: IE Business School in Madrid is a leading international business school with strong MBA, MS, and Executive Education programs and a globally diverse student body. Pepperdine competes with IE for international applicants seeking English-language graduate business degrees, particularly in Latin America and Europe where both schools have exchange and recruiting reach.

Emerging players

• Quantic School of Business: Quantic is an emerging mobile-first, accredited MBA program competing aggressively on price and accessibility. It represents the disruptive edge of the online MBA market that Pepperdine Graziadio's online programs (#22 Princeton Review) compete against for working professionals seeking flexible, lower-cost credentials.

Broad incumbents

• Stanford Graduate School of Business: Stanford GSB is the top California MBA program and a brand benchmark for all California business schools. While Pepperdine does not directly compete with Stanford for the same applicant pool, Stanford's MBA, MSx, and executive programs set the ceiling for California business school pricing and employer expectations.
• Kelley School of Business (Indiana University): Kelley is widely regarded as the leading online MBA program in the U.S. and sets the benchmark against which Pepperdine's online MBA (#22 Princeton Review) and Online MS programs are measured. Both schools compete for working professional segments through online and hybrid formats.

Direct peers

• Babson College: Babson is a private, specialized business school with strong MBA and MS programs focused on entrepreneurship. Pepperdine's Most Fundable Companies competition and E2B experiential model parallel Babson's entrepreneurship focus, making them comparable niche brand alternatives in the U.S. private business school segment.
• USC Marshall School of Business: USC Marshall is the most direct peer, also located in Los Angeles offering full-time, part-time, executive MBA, and specialized master's programs with strong STEM designations. Both schools compete for Southern California students and similar employer networks, though Marshall benefits from USC's larger brand and stronger global rankings.
• UC Berkeley Haas School of Business: Berkeley Haas offers MBA, EDP, MS in Business Analytics, and Finance programs within driving distance of Pepperdine's California student base. Haas competes with Pepperdine for top California applicants and STEM-designated program interest, with substantially stronger brand recognition and rankings.
• Thunderbird School of Global Management (ASU): Thunderbird is a globally focused business school offering master's programs with strong international student populations and global immersion experiences. Pepperdine's MS in Global Business, Trimester Exchange Program with 40+ partners, and Global Business Intensives parallel Thunderbird's globally oriented value proposition.
• Hult International Business School: Hult is a private, globally distributed business school offering MBA, MS, and Executive Education with multiple campuses. Pepperdine competes with Hult for internationally mobile graduate students, particularly for one-year MBA and specialized master's programs.
• UCLA Anderson School of Management: UCLA Anderson is a fellow Southern California business school offering full-time MBA, Fully Employed MBA, Executive MBA, and MS programs including Business Analytics and Finance. Both schools compete for the same regional student pool, employers, and rankings attention, with Anderson typically ranking higher on national lists.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/graziadioschool
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCuwEcKK5rc763mjxKjMovDw
• Facebookfacebook.com/pepperdine.graziadio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/pepperdine-graziadio-business-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/graziadioschool

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pepperdine Graziadio Business School