Liberty University is a private evangelical Christian university founded by Jerry Falwell SR in 1971 in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty is situated in a rural setting with a campus that houses over 15,000 students locally and over 90,000 students online. Liberty University has 17 colleges with a foundation in conservative Christian education, required Bible study, and an honor code that prohibits premarital sexual relations for all students.
Liberty University, originally named Lynchburg Baptist College, is funded by major donors including the former school president Jerry Falwell Jr, who transformed the university’s distance learning program into the majority online school it is today. The campus at Liberty University consists of a collection of large buildings like the 17-story Freedom Tower, the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, and the Equestrian Center.
Liberty University is the largest Christian university in the world. Students that attend campus in-person can participate in a range of social clubs, volunteer programs, and even catch a local minor league baseball Lynchburg Hillcats game. Noble Liberty alumni include basketball player Seth Curry, gospel recording artist Guy Penrod, and former Atlanta Brave Sid Bream.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Check out the most popular majors and specific degrees students have earned at Liberty University.
*Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Data may vary depending on school and academic year.
* Number of people in 2019 that graduated with this degree and study level
* Number of people in 2019 that graduated with this degree and study level
* Number of people in 2019 that graduated with this degree and study level
* Number of people in 2019 that graduated with this degree and study level
Check out the online programs offered at Liberty University.
Specialized Institution Accreditations
American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar
- Law (LAW) - Professional schools
American Osteopathic Association, Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation
- Osteopathic Medicine (OSTEO) - Programs leading to the D.O. degree
Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools
- Theology (THEOL) - Freestanding schools, as well as programs affiliated with larger institutions, offering graduate professional education for ministry and graduate study of theology (John W. Rawlings School of Divinity)
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the baccalaureate degree levels
- Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the graduate degree levels
- Nursing (CNDNP) - Nursing education programs at the doctorate degree levels
Council on Education for Public Health
- Public Health Programs (PHPBG) - Baccalaureate and Graduate level programs offered outside a school of public health
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
- Teacher Education (TED) - Baccalaureate and graduate programs for the preparation of teachers and other professional personnel for elementary and secondary schools
* Source data obtained from U.S. Department of Education's Office of Post-secondary Education (OPE)
Career Preparation
What letter grade would you give your school on how well it prepares students for a career in the real world?
Based on 11 Reviews-
Alumni
Sport Management, Class of 2013There are many internship and work opportunities there. They provide ample opportunities to meet and network with new people and will make sure you get the education, experience and connections you need to succeed after graduation. They have an entire career center committed to you.
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Alumni
Special education , Class of 2013Opportunities in the schools home state
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Alumni
Bachelors Degree, Class of 2017Microsoft word, Blackboard, and live chats
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Alumni
Nursing, BSN, Class of 2014career fairs, pearson, mcgraw hill, nclex review
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Alumni
Psychology, Class of 2013Internships, real world examples, community exploration assignments
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Alumni
Pastoral Counseling, Class of 2009I am thinking "more" for those living on campus - as one traveling for intensives, I had little opportunity to fully take in the offerings.
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Alumni
Communications, Class of 2013My Communications professors provided a wonderful balance of book learning/lectures and hands-on projects. I honed my skills through practicing what I'd been taught with creative and enriching opportunities, some of which brought me into contact with real world companies and organizations. We also had several chances to network through alumni panels, guest speakers, and the coursework that put us into contact with professionals in all sorts of industries.
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Alumni
Multi-disciplinary Studies, Class of 2011Research as a big part of course work and individual accountability with plenty of opportunities for application.
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Alumni
Masters of Religious Education, Class of 2010I don't know for sure
Students and Culture
What letter grade would you give the students/culture at your school?
Based on 11 Reviews-
Alumni
Sport Management, Class of 2013Liberty is a very diverse campus with many activities and great students. A welcoming and homey place.
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Alumni
Bachelors Degree, Class of 2017I am a online student but we all feel like one big family
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Alumni
Pastoral Counseling, Class of 2009Most of my classmates arrived for intensives (as did I), relationships lasted 4 days or less.
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Alumni
Psychology; Human Services and Counseling, Class of 2008It is a private, conservative school.
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Alumni
Communications, Class of 2013The student body is very welcoming, fun, and passionate. Liberty is a Christian school, and while there are students there from all sorts of backgrounds and belief systems, I can generally say that the culture is overwhelmingly positive, open, and warm. I had a fantastic experience and made many lifelong friends.
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Alumni
Multi-disciplinary Studies, Class of 2011Education seems to be a priority with a focus on understanding the secular worldview. and overcoming it.
Facilities
What letter grade would you give the facilities at your school.
Based on 11 Reviews-
Alumni
Sport Management, Class of 2013Only the best at Liberty University. They have the newest and most up to date facilities and technologies.
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Alumni
Nursing, BSN, Class of 2014modern, evolving, state of the art
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Alumni
Pastoral Counseling, Class of 2009Dorms - good upkeep Classrooms - good upkeep
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Alumni
Psychology; Human Services and Counseling, Class of 2008Computer labs are ok. Dorms have improved since I attended. Dining hall has improved.
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Alumni
Communications, Class of 2013This has already changed so much since I graduated. The new library is beautiful, the dining hall has recently been upgraded, and most of campus has been renovated recently or will be soon. Some of the classrooms are a little sterile looking, but many of the newer ones have been designed with more of an aesthetic appeal.
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Alumni
Multi-disciplinary Studies, Class of 2011First Class with the addition of medical school currently and law school recently.
Activities and Groups
What overall letter grade would you give the activities/groups at your school?
Based on 11 Reviews-
Alumni
Sport Management, Class of 2013Intramural sports are important at Liberty. Our student activities group always has huge events going on as well as concerts, carnivals and block parties. We have international student groups as well as any type of club you can imagine.
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Alumni
Special education , Class of 2013Snow boarding year round at Snowflex Mountain
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Alumni
Educational Leadership, Class of 2015sense of belongingness among students and faculty
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Alumni
Nursing, BSN, Class of 2014coffeehouse, convocation, intramural and ncaa sports, student activities
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Alumni
Pastoral Counseling, Class of 2009N/A for personal experience - however, through the campus paper, tons of things to do!
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Alumni
Communications, Class of 2013I think the most unique would be the Office of Student Leadership, which recruits students to be leaders on campus in several different capacities. This is the office that manages Resident Assitants (RAs), but there are also Prayer Leaders and Spiritual Life Coaches in every residence hall on campus. This makes the school a very special place in the sense that students are surrounded by peers who care about them and will mentor them if they so wish. This network of leaders was hugely impactful to me my freshman year, and in the years that followed, I also served in each of those roles. As far as activities go, Liberty does offer a variety of plays, concerts, intramural sports, and all types of entertainment. You can ski or snowboard year round on their Snowflex facility.
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Alumni
Multi-disciplinary Studies, Class of 2011Faculty and their concern for student growth and development.
“ Who are the notable alumni? ”
1 Answer-
LU alumni excel in a variety of careers. Graduates include Dean Parker, founder of Cloud Communications Alliance and Callis Communications; Susan Wise Bauer, author and English instructor at The College of William and Mary; Paul Dixon, former president of Cedarville University; Shannon Bream, Supreme Court reporter for Fox News; Samantha Steele, ESPN College GameDay reporter; Terry Fator, singer, ventriloquist and season two winner of America’s Got Talent; Courtney Garrett, Miss Virginia; William Franklin Graham IV, evangelist and grandson of Billy Graham; Octavio De La Grana, current assistant coach and head scout for the Miami Heat; and Mike Brown, wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers.
“ What is the campus setting like? ”
1 Answer-
At Liberty University near Lynchburg, Virginia, the school greets students in the elegant new visitor’s center. Opened in 1971, LU has expanded to 7,000 acres and in the last three years has spent more than $500 million to upgrade its academic, athletic and housing facilities. The observatory features a 20-inch research telescope and a classroom for up to 20 people. The Jerry Falwell Library was finished in 2014 and the same year marked the completion of the center for medical and health sciences and the launch of the LU College of Osteopathic Medicine. But stay tuned for more. Construction of the 275-foot Freedom Tower and classroom building at the Rawlings School of Divinity are underway and set to open in spring 2017. Whether you’re hanging out in the apartment-style dorms of East Campus, attending a play in the Tower Theater, hanging out in LaHaye Student Center or taking to the slopes in the Mountain Snowflex Centre, you’ll never feel bored.
“ What are the online learning and extension/adult learning opportunities? ”
1 Answer-
More than 95,000 students worldwide are earning their degrees with LU’s flexible online classes, as the university offers 245 distance learning programs from the certificate to the doctoral level. LU takes the distance out of distance learning by providing ways for students to feel “connected, engaged, and encouraged.” Hear Christian speakers, authors and musicians by attending weekly streaming convocations. Students get a sense of the classroom atmosphere through video events, live chats, blogs, and social media or keep up on the latest by logging onto Yammer, the online community where they can connect, engage and encourage one another. Adults can sign up for continuing education courses to upgrade their professional skills, become re-certified in their chosen fields, or introduce themselves to Scuba diving, wilderness first aid, or American Sign Language.
“ What are the athletic highlights? ”
1 Answer-
The LU Flames are part of the Big South Conference, with 11 universities including Campbell, Coastal Carolina, Radford and Winthrop. Students compete in 20 NCAA Division I sports in the 22,000-seat Williams Stadium and new baseball and softball stadiums. More than 9,000 fans wearing the school’s red, white and blue crowd the Vines Center, known as “The Furnace,” for roundball and team members get ready for games in the recently-built basketball practice facility. The Academic and Performance Center, opening in summer 2017, will have an Olympic sport weight room and centralized training facility. Students can follow their favorite teams with the Flames Minute and clock countdown to the next big game at Liberty.edu/flames.
“ What are the school's academic highlights? ”
1 Answer-
The university is divided into 16 colleges and schools offering 520 programs of study for undergraduate and graduate degrees. Residential students mingle with others from 50 states and 80 countries, while those studying online may encounter distance learners from 90 nations. The Liberty Way, the school’s honor code and an integral part of the community, addresses academic and non-academic misconduct and guides learning in fidelity to the Christian faith. Monday-Wednesday-Friday morning convocations offer world-class speakers and a praise and worship band. Residential students volunteer more than 300,000 hours each year in campus and community activities. Every professor goes through a rigorous interview proves that confirms a born-again relationship with Jesus and a commitment to teaching excellence. Religion reigns as the most popular major and LU prepares its students to be “Champions for Christ.”