Guilford College vs. Liberty University

Comparable Facts

Compare Guilford College in Greensboro, NC with Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Liberty University is larger than Guilford College based on total student enrollment (104,327 students vs. 1,180 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Guilford College is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); Liberty University is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Guilford College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Liberty University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Guilford College 12:1; Liberty University 18:1.

Guilford College vs. Liberty University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Guilford College 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 Guilford College than Liberty University ($22,270 vs. $29,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Guilford College are 3.1% lower than at Liberty University ($13,400 vs. $13,835).
• Guilford College is 84.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Liberty University (about $18,897 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.1% higher at Guilford College than at Liberty University (about $18,897 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Guilford College than at Liberty University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 167.6% larger than aid received by Liberty University students ($33,419 vs. $12,489).

Guilford College vs. Liberty University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Guilford College or Liberty University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Liberty University and Guilford College.

• Liberty University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Guilford College (1190) is 40 points higher than at Liberty University (1150).
• Incoming Liberty University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 21 at Guilford College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Guilford College 1120/1260; Liberty University 1040/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Guilford College 18/24; Liberty University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Guilford College - Test optional; Liberty University - Open admission.
• Enrolled freshman Liberty University students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Guilford College (3.14).
• Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (99%) than Guilford College (80%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at Guilford College vs. 24.4% at Liberty University.

Guilford College vs. Liberty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Guilford College and Liberty University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Guilford College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Liberty University's (47%).
• Graduates from Guilford College earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Liberty University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Liberty University graduates have a $2,469 lower median loan debt than Guilford College graduates ($24,166 vs. $26,635).
• Among borrowers, Liberty University graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Guilford College graduates ($249 vs. $275).
• More Guilford College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Liberty University students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.