Liberty University vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

Liberty University is larger than RU based on total student enrollment (104,327 students vs. 7,812 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Liberty University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Liberty University 18:1; Radford University 14:1.

Liberty University vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Liberty University or RU? 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 Radford University than Liberty University ($16,749 vs. $29,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 9.6% lower than at Liberty University ($12,504 vs. $13,835).
• Liberty University is 79% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $9,917 more per year; $22,465.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.1% higher at RU than at Liberty University (about $3,168 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Liberty University than at Radford University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Liberty University students is 5.2% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($12,489 vs. $11,870).

Liberty University vs. RU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Liberty University or RU? 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 RU and Liberty University.

• Liberty University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Liberty University (1150) is 100 points higher than at RU (1050).
• Incoming Liberty University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at RU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Liberty University 1040/1250; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Liberty University 21/29; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Liberty University - Open admission; RU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Liberty University students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at RU (3.31).
• Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (99%) than RU (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.4% at Liberty University vs. 14.4% at RU.

Liberty University vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Liberty University and RU? 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).

• Radford University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Liberty University's (47%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Liberty University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $1,166 lower median loan debt than Liberty University graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,166).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Liberty University graduates ($237 vs. $249).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Liberty University students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.