Liberty University
Liberty University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Liberty University at a Glance
Liberty University (LU), known simply as Liberty, is a conservative, private evangelical Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia, United States. It is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia. Founded in 1971 by Jerry Falwell Sr. and Elmer L. Towns as Lynchburg Baptist College, Liberty is among the world's largest Christian universities and one of the largest private non-profit universities in the United States by total student enrollment.
1971
55 years old
$3.5B
$3.5 billion (2026)
96,709
48,906 undergrad · 47,803 grad
735
7,000 acres
Identity
Is Liberty University Worth It?
At a value score of 25/100, Liberty University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $44,813 — 17% below average — while paying $29,357/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.6-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 64% graduation rate means roughly 36% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 99% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $24,500 representing 55% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Liberty University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Liberty University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #5 of 6 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Brigham Young University | 99 | $15,564 | $75,790 |
| #2 | Brigham Young University-Idaho | 90 | $8,221 | $53,406 |
| #3 | University of Southern California | 65 | $32,740 | $92,498 |
| #4 | New York University | 49 | $37,050 | $82,509 |
| #5 | Liberty University | 25 | $29,357 | $44,813 |
| #6 | Grand Canyon University | 20 | $22,472 | $42,186 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Liberty University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Liberty University
The highest-earning program at Liberty University is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $67,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Apparel and Textiles at $18,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from Liberty University earns $67,200, while a Apparel and Textiles graduate earns $18,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $24,400 for Apparel and Textiles.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $29,357/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $67,200 | $67,200 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $63,700 | $63,700 | $25,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $60,900 | $60,900 | $24,996 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $51,700 | $51,700 | $44,443 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $49,000 | $49,000 | $30,321 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $46,300 | $46,300 | $28,368 |
| Air Transportation | $41,400 | $41,400 | $24,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,800 | $40,800 | $27,129 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $38,000 | $38,000 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $37,400 | $37,400 | $27,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $37,400 | $37,400 | $23,250 |
| Social Sciences, General | $35,000 | $35,000 | $25,750 |
| Legal Support Services | $34,200 | $34,200 | $29,166 |
| Religion/Religious Studies | $33,500 | $33,500 | $32,338 |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | $33,400 | $33,400 | $29,250 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $31,200 | $31,200 | $25,250 |
| Political Science and Government | $30,300 | $30,300 | $21,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $29,500 | $29,500 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $29,300 | $29,300 | $24,250 |
| Religious/Sacred Music | $27,300 | $27,300 | $25,578 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $26,800 | $26,800 | $24,732 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,300 | $26,300 | $26,000 |
| Psychology, General | $26,300 | $26,300 | $31,235 |
| Public Health | $25,800 | $25,800 | $26,295 |
| Bible/Biblical Studies | $25,100 | $25,100 | $25,000 |
| Biology, General | $24,600 | $24,600 | $21,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $23,200 | $23,200 | $26,384 |
| Education, Other | $23,200 | $23,200 | $41,838 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $23,000 | $23,000 | $27,000 |
| Music | $22,300 | $22,300 | $27,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $21,300 | $21,300 | $27,332 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $19,200 | $19,200 | $26,990 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $18,900 | $18,900 | $24,400 |
Similar Colleges in VA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Lynchburg, VA
- Student Body
- 50,012 students
- Admission Rate
- 99%
- Graduation Rate
- 64%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $29,357
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $44,813
- Median Student Debt
- $24,500