Liberty University is the largest Evangelical Christian University in the world. Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr. founded Liberty University in 1971 as a religious co-educational institution with a mission to train and develop young Champions for Christ with the values, knowledge and skills needed to impact the future. Located on a 6,000-acre campus in Lynchburg, Virginia, this private college offers more than 60 accredited programs of study.
History
A center of commerce in the 19th Century, the city of Lynchburg, Virginia was established in 1786 at the site of Lynch's Ferry on the James River. Thomas Jefferson's private country retreat, known as Poplar Forest, is located just outside Lynchburg and is an easy drive from Liberty University. Jefferson's renowned Monticello estate is located in Charlottesville, an hour's drive north of Lynchburg.
The area around Lynchburg is quite rich with cultural opportunities and sites of American History, with Colonial Williamsburg and Washington, D.C., both a four-hour drive away. The Appomattox Court House National Historic Park is located just north of Lynchburg and boasts a historical village that has preserves the history of General Lee's surrender to Lt. General Grant towards the end of the Civil War.
Academics
Liberty University offers 135 areas for undergraduate study, 90 areas for graduate study, and four doctoral programs. It offers both campus-based and online degree programs. Additionally, Liberty offers a diploma program for students seeking a complete overview of the English Bible. All faculty members hold advanced degrees and, in addition to a commitment to teaching excellence, have demonstrated a born-again relationship with Christ.
Liberty's academic services and programs include:
- Center for Academic Support and Advising Services (CASAS)
- Center for Research and Scholarship
- Graduate Senate
- University Writing Program
- Institutional Review Board
- Quality Enhancement Plan
- Office of the Registrar
- Study Abroad Program
Colleges / Schools
Liberty University has several colleges and schools offering 37 majors with various areas of specialization or concentration. Liberty students may also choose from among more than 52 academic minors.
- School of Aeronautics
- College of Arts & Sciences
- Helms School of Government
- Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary
- School of Business
- School of Communication
- School of Education
- School of Engineering and Computational Sciences
- School of Law
- School of Religion
Students who wish to pursue a more individualized course of study, may work through the Center for Academic Support and Advising Services (CASAS) to obtain a bachelor's degree in General Studies or Interdisciplinary Studies.
Student Life
Liberty University offers many academic organizations and clubs, as well as opportunities to volunteer for social causes. Opportunities for campus recreation include various cafes, recreation and fitness facilities at LaHaye Student Union. Other student activities include horseback riding, whitewater rafting trips, water skiing, video game tournaments and paintball, to name a few.
The LaHaye Ice Center is available for skating and athletic events, and Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre's Ski Slope offers year-round skiing, snow boarding and tubing.
Liberty University is dedicated to both academics and faith, and The Spiritual Life Department provides a variety of worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelism opportunities for students and their families. The Campus Pastor's Office provides a Prayer Room, pastoral counseling, discipleship services and crisis intervention. There also are Spiritual Life Director and Prayer Leader programs where students can lead prayer groups and provide ministry. Light Ministries provides programs in cross-cultural ministry through short-term missions.
Traditions
Liberty University's traditions are termed "distinctives" - doctrines that set it apart from other Christian schools in America. Liberty's "distinctives" are: Academic excellence, a commitment to training champions for Christ, an action-oriented curriculum, a Christian worldview, high behavioral standards, a modest dress code, a highly-qualified and non-tenured teaching faculty, 20 competitive NCAA Division I athletic programs, reasonable tuition costs, and required attendance at chapels and convocations.
Athletics
A variety of intercollegiate and intramural athletic programs are available to Liberty students. The home of the Liberty Flames athletic teams, Liberty University has achieved great success in college athletics. It has 20 NCAA Division Athletic programs, 20 Club Sports and 19 Intramural Sports. Many Liberty University athletes have gone into professional sports including former Atlanta Braves first baseman Sid Bream, former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Randy Tomlin, former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Kelvin Edwards, former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver James McKnight, among others.
Community Life
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the south bank of James River, Liberty University offers a safe, scenic and historic community to its students. Lynchburg has four colleges or universities in its midst and was ranked the second-best "Small City" by Money Magazine. Living costs in the Lynchburg area are relatively low, and students can enjoy many free or inexpensive local events and outdoor recreational activities.
On Liberty University's 6,000-acre campus, students will enjoy a hike or bike ride on one of the many tracks or roads of the Liberty Mountain Trail System.
Admission Requirements & Details
The admissions information below may provide a better idea of the candidates Liberty University accepts. The details may include admissions application requirements and recommendations, as well as any college or dual credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- Life Experience Credits
- AP Course Credits
Student Enrollment
Total enrollment at Liberty University is around 80,000 students, where graduate students make up roughly 6% of the student body.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The items listed below are for informational purposes only and may not represent current tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Annual tuition estimates are between $14,000-$17,000 for both state residents and nonresidents
- For part-time students, charges are between $370-$450 per unit
Financial Aid Details
The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.
| Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Any Financial Aid | 97% | - |
| Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 95% | $9,744 |
| Receiving Student Loans | 65% | $7,137 |
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To support students and graduates, Liberty University may offer student services like:- Online classes
- Remedial instructional courses
- Career path counseling
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Employment search assistance
Graduation Rates
Liberty University has an overall graduation rate which is approximately 50%.
| Number of Year to Graduate | Percent of Entering Class |
|---|---|
| Students Graduating in 4 Years | 26% |
| Graduating in 5 Years | 15% |
| Graduating in 6 Years | 7% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) Program
- Nursing (MSN, DSN) Program
- Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) Program
- Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Education Program
Intercollegiate Athletics
Liberty University is a Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with many of the sports belonging to the NCAA Division I-AA classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Baseball (Big South Conference)
- Basketball (Big South Conference)
- Track and Field (Big South Conference)
- Football (Big South Conference)
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.
Get more information about the programs offered by Liberty University by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (B)
- Biochemistry (B)
- Biomedical Science (B, M)
- Molecular Biology (B)
- Wildlife Biology (B)
- Environmental Biology (B)
- Zoology (B)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Business Administration (B, C, M)
- Accounting (A, B, C, M)
- Commerce (A, B)
- Information Systems (A, B, C)
- Information Resources Management, Cio Training (M)
Communications and Journalism
- Communications (B, C, M)
- Communication, General (M)
- Organizational Communication (C)
- Multimedia (B)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer (B)
- Computer Software and Media Applications (C)
- Computer and Information Systems Security (C)
- Information Technology (B)
- Web Management and Webmaster (B)
Construction Trades
- Construction Trades (A)
Education
- Educational Leadership and Administration (C, D, M)
- Elementary Education (B, M)
- Curriculum and Instruction (M)
- Guidance Counselor (M)
- Special Education (B, M)
- Educational and Instructional Media Design (C, M)
- Secondary Education (M)
- Education (A, B)
- Early Childhood Education (A)
- Education, Teaching of Individuals with Autism (C)
- ESL (B)
- Kindergarten and Preschool Education (C)
- Student Counseling and Personnel Services (M)
- Education, Teaching of the Gifted and Talented (C)
- History Teacher Education (M)
- Middle School Teacher (C)
Engineering
- Electrical Engineering (B)
- Industrial Engineering (B)
- Software Engineering (B)
- Computer Engineering (B)
English Language and Literature
- English (B, M)
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Family Studies (B)
- Apparel and Textiles (B)
- Family and Consumer Sciences (B)
Foreign Languages and Literature
Health and Clinical Professions
- Nursing (B, M)
- Public Health (M)
- Public Health Education and Promotion (B)
- Health Services (C)
- Athletic Training (B)
- Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (C)
- Medical Office Assistant (A)
History
- History (B, M)
Interdisciplinary Studies
Legal Professions and Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Liberal Arts (B)
- General Studies (A)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (B)
Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Religious Studies (A, B, D, M)
- Christian Studies (B)
- Philosophy (B)
Precision Production
- Welding (A)
Psychology
- Psychology (A, B)
- Counseling Psychology (D, M)
Public Administration and Social Services
- Human Services (M)
- Public Policy (C, M)
- Public Administration (C)
Recreation and Fitness Studies
- Sports Management (B, C, M)
- Kinesiology And Exercise Science (B)
Security and Protective Services
- Criminal Justice (A, B, C, M)
Social Sciences
Theology and Religious Vocations
- Theology (C, D, M)
- Ministry (M)
- Biblical Studies (B, C)
- Religious Education (M)
- Religious and Sacred Music (B, C, M)
- Christian Counseling (B, C)
- Missionary Studies (B, M)
Transportation and Materials Moving
- Aviation (A, B)
- Airline Flight Attendant (A)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Graphic Design (B)
- Music (B)
- Cinematography And Film (B)
- Drama and Theatre Arts (B)
- Fine Arts and Studio Arts (B)
- Musicology and Ethnomusicology (C, M)
- Music Theory and Composition (B)
Other 4-Year Private Colleges
The list of schools below have been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Liberty University.
- Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA (36 miles away)
- Longwood University in Farmville, VA (43 miles away)
- University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA (59 miles away)
- James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA (77 miles away)
- Radford University in Radford, VA (79 miles away)
Also, check out our college lists below, which can help students compare schools to one another:
- Compare schools and see a list of all colleges in Virginia
- See all private colleges in Virginia
Data Disclaimer
Information displayed on this page has been obtained from Institution, State, and Federal data sources, including the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Survey 2010-2016. Information should be solely used for informational purposes only and may not be accurate for the current year. Contact Liberty University for official up-to-date information.