Liberty University vs. Mary Washington College

Comparable Facts

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

Liberty University is larger than Mary Washington College based on total student enrollment (104,327 students vs. 3,826 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); University of Mary Washington is in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Liberty University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Liberty University 18:1; University of Mary Washington 13:1.

Liberty University vs. Mary Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Liberty University or Mary Washington College? 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 University of Mary Washington than Liberty University ($21,800 vs. $29,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Liberty University are 2.9% lower than at University of Mary Washington ($13,835 vs. $14,250).
• Liberty University is 53.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $7,825 more per year; $22,465.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.7% higher at Mary Washington College than at Liberty University (about $5,095 more per year; $27,560.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at Liberty University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Liberty University students is 19% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($12,489 vs. $10,491).

Liberty University vs. Mary Washington College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Liberty University or Mary Washington College? 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 Mary Washington College and Liberty University.

• Liberty University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Mary Washington (1270) is 120 points higher than at Liberty University (1150).
• Incoming Mary Washington College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Liberty University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Liberty University 1040/1250; University of Mary Washington 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Liberty University 21/29; University of Mary Washington 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Liberty University - Open admission; Mary Washington College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Mary Washington College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Liberty University (3.56).
• Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (99%) than Mary Washington College (79.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.4% at Liberty University vs. 17.7% at Mary Washington College.

Liberty University vs. Mary Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Liberty University and Mary Washington College? 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).

• University of Mary Washington's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Liberty University's (47%).
• Graduates from University of Mary Washington earn a median of about $16,400 more per year than Liberty University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,500 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mary Washington graduates have a $2,666 lower median loan debt than Liberty University graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,166).
• Among borrowers, Mary Washington College graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Liberty University graduates ($222 vs. $249).
• More Mary Washington College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Liberty University students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.