William & Mary vs. Liberty University

Comparable Facts

Compare William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA with Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Liberty University is larger than William & Mary based on total student enrollment (104,327 students vs. 9,818 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• William & Mary is located in Williamsburg, VA (Large Suburban setting); Liberty University is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• William & Mary is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Liberty University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: William & Mary 12:1; Liberty University 18:1.

William & Mary vs. Liberty University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, William & Mary or Liberty University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at William & Mary than Liberty University ($19,686 vs. $29,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Liberty University are 14.5% lower than at William & Mary ($13,835 vs. $16,182).
• William & Mary is 15.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Liberty University (about $3,449 more per year; $25,914.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 127.2% higher at William & Mary than at Liberty University (about $28,573 more per year; $51,038.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Liberty University than at William & Mary (97% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William & Mary students is 85.3% larger than aid received by Liberty University students ($23,144 vs. $12,489).

William & Mary vs. Liberty University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, William & Mary or Liberty University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Liberty University and William & Mary.

• Liberty University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at William & Mary (1470) is 320 points higher than at Liberty University (1150).
• Incoming William & Mary students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 25 at Liberty University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: William & Mary 1400/1530; Liberty University 1040/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: William & Mary 32/34; Liberty University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: William & Mary - Test optional; Liberty University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: William & Mary Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman William & Mary students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at Liberty University (3.56).
• Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (99%) than William & Mary (34.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.6% at William & Mary vs. 24.4% at Liberty University.

William & Mary vs. Liberty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for William & Mary and Liberty University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• William & Mary's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Liberty University's (47%).
• Graduates from William & Mary earn a median of about $29,600 more per year than Liberty University graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,700 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William & Mary graduates have a $4,666 lower median loan debt than Liberty University graduates ($19,500 vs. $24,166).
• Among borrowers, William & Mary graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Liberty University graduates ($201 vs. $249).
• More William & Mary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Liberty University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 36%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.