Liberty University vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

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

Liberty University is larger than WVU based on total student enrollment (104,327 students vs. 23,643 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• Liberty University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Liberty University 18:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

Liberty University vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Liberty University or WVU? 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 West Virginia University than Liberty University ($15,169 vs. $29,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Liberty University are 5.1% lower than at West Virginia University ($13,835 vs. $14,582).
• Liberty University is 122.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $12,361 more per year; $22,465.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.3% higher at WVU than at Liberty University (about $6,143 more per year; $28,608.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Liberty University than at West Virginia University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Liberty University students is 1% larger than aid received by West Virginia University students ($12,489 vs. $12,363).

Liberty University vs. WVU Admissions comparison

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

• Liberty University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Liberty University (1150) is 30 points higher than at WVU (1120).
• Incoming Liberty University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 23 at WVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Liberty University 1040/1250; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Liberty University 21/29; West Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Liberty University - Open admission; WVU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Liberty University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at WVU (3.45).
• Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (99%) than WVU (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.4% at Liberty University vs. 24.8% at WVU.

Liberty University vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Liberty University and WVU? 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.

• West Virginia University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Liberty University's (47%).
• Graduates from West Virginia University earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Liberty University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia University graduates have a $165 lower median loan debt than Liberty University graduates ($24,001 vs. $24,166).
• Among borrowers, WVU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Liberty University graduates ($248 vs. $249).
• More WVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Liberty University students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.