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CollegeRanker
Private nonprofit Lynchburg, VA · Urban · Southeast · 93% data
B- Diversity C+ Graduation C+ Earnings
Graduation Rate
64% C+
Solid completion rate — most students graduate
Earnings (10yr)
$44,813 C+
Roughly in line with national averages
Net Price
$29,357 F
71% more than the typical college
Acceptance Rate
99% F
Accessible to most qualified applicants
Earnings +10% vs avg
Graduation +13% vs avg
Net Price 71% vs avg

Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 8.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $8.8 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Online Computer Science Programs in Virginia.

8.8× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $8.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $913,792.

What The Data Says

  1. A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.

  2. Every $1 invested returns $8.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About Liberty University

Liberty University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Private Doctoral / Professional University
Carnegie Class
Doctoral/Professional
Enrollment
50,012
Setting
Urban
Designations
102
Primary Strengths
Business & Marketing, Psychology, Education, Criminal Justice

Why students choose Liberty University

Strength in Business & Marketing
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C-
Top 61% overall
C+
Earnings
$44,813 median
D
Value
1.5× net price
F
Affordability
$29,357/yr net
C+
Graduation
64% graduate
F
Selectivity
99% admit rate
B-
Diversity
0.66 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

With an enrollment of over 50,000 students, Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, caters to a diverse population looking for a supportive and faith-based educational environment. It's particularly attractive for those interested in fields like Business & Marketing, Psychology, Education, Criminal Justice, and Health Professions. The high acceptance rate of 99% means that many students can find their place here, making it a viable option for those seeking a degree in a welcoming community.

After graduation, alumni can expect to earn around $44,813 within a decade, which reflects a solid return on investment. This financial outlook is encouraging, especially considering the affordability of the education offered. With a net price of $29,357 after financial aid, students can navigate their future careers without being overwhelmed by excessive debt, as the median debt stands at $24,500. This combination of earnings potential and manageable debt levels supports the idea that many graduates can successfully progress in their careers.

In terms of who thrives at Liberty, students who appreciate a structured environment and are motivated by faith and community often find their niche here. The mix of academic programs and the supportive atmosphere creates a space where students can grow both personally and professionally. With 38% of the student body receiving Pell Grants, there's a commitment to accessibility, reflecting Liberty's mission to empower a wide range of learners.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective Liberty University is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Liberty University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Based in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. The graduation rate is roughly 64%.

Acceptance Rate
99%
Retention Rate
80%
Full-Time Faculty
16%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$8,826
Student–Faculty Ratio
18:1
Diversity Index
0.66
First-Gen Students
42%
Applicants
30,943
Admitted
30,723

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Liberty University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Liberty University is $22,465, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $29,357. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $30,667 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,500 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$22,465
Out-of-State
$22,465
Avg Net Price
$29,357
Median Debt
$24,500
Pell Grant Rate
38%
Federal Loan Rate
46%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$30,667
Family Income $30K–$48K
$27,807
Family Income $48K–$75K
$27,347
Family Income $110K+
$30,545

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Students Like You

Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Liberty University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.

Compare schools in the full simulator →Sources: College Scorecard, Common Data Set, Opportunity Insights · today's dollars (CPI-adjusted) · descriptive, not predictive

Graduate Outcomes

Is Liberty University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Liberty University report median earnings of $44,813, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

6 Years After Entry
$39,707
8 Years
$40,638
10 Years
$44,813
Debt-to-Earnings
0.55x
Earning > $25K
61%

Earnings Trajectory

$39,707 6yr $40,638 8yr $44,813 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (1,142)
37%
100% (1,142)
37%
100% (1,142)
37%
100% (1,142)
37%

How Liberty Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation64%Earnings 10yr$45KNet Price$29KRetention80%Median Debt$25KPell Grant Rate38%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$31K$0-30K$28K$30-48K$27K$48-75K$31K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is Liberty University Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Liberty University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $29,357/year ($117,428 total). Graduates earn $44,813 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,031,220 in total earnings — a net gain of $913,792 (8.8× your investment). The median debt is $24,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 64% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$117,428
Projected 20yr Earnings
$1,031,220
Net Return
$913,792
ROI Multiple
8.8×
Cost Per Year
$29,357
Median Debt
$24,500
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
64%

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Investment Income
$-185,194,028

Top Programs

The fields Liberty University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.

Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Liberty University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Based in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. The graduation rate is roughly 64%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Liberty University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Liberty University is $22,465, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $29,357. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $30,667 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,500 in federal student loans.

Is Liberty University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Liberty University report median earnings of $44,813, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

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Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Liberty University.

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

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