Liberty University vs Longwood University: A Data-Driven Comparison
Admission Difficulty: Liberty accepts 99.29% of applicants, making admission nearly guaranteed, while Longwood is moderately selective at 87.79% acceptance. Both schools are accessible to most students.
Cost and Value: Longwood offers significant savings for Virginia residents with in-state tuition at $15,200 versus Liberty's flat $21,222 rate. Longwood's average net price of $20,814 is notably lower than Liberty's $29,552. However, Longwood graduates earn a median salary of $52,347 after 10 years compared to Liberty's $44,813, suggesting better long-term financial returns despite similar debt loads around $25,000.
Academic Strengths: Longwood provides a more intimate learning environment with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio versus Liberty's 18:1. Both schools maintain similar retention rates (Longwood 77.75%, Liberty 78.79%) and graduation rates (Longwood 61.60%, Liberty 63.50%).
Campus Experience: The universities differ dramatically in scale. Liberty enrolls 50,059 students, creating a large university atmosphere with extensive resources and programs. Longwood's 2,957 students foster a small college community where students receive more individual attention. Both compete in NCAA Division I athletics.
Outcomes: While graduation rates are comparable, Longwood graduates demonstrate stronger earning potential with median salaries $7,534 higher than Liberty graduates.
Liberty suits students seeking a large Christian university environment with extensive online options and lower admission barriers, while Longwood fits students preferring a small, close-knit public university experience with strong financial value and career outcomes.
Admission Difficulty: Liberty accepts 99.29% of applicants, making admission nearly guaranteed, while Longwood is moderately selective at 87.79% acceptance. Both schools are accessible to most students.
Cost and Value: Longwood offers significant savings for Virginia residents with in-state tuition at $15,200 versus Liberty's flat $21,222 rate. Longwood's average net price of $20,814 is notably lower than Liberty's $29,552. However, Longwood graduates earn a median salary of $52,347 after 10 years compared to Liberty's $44,813, suggesting better long-term financial returns despite similar debt loads around $25,000.
Academic Strengths: Longwood provides a more intimate learning environment with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio versus Liberty's 18:1. Both schools maintain similar retention rates (Longwood 77.75%, Liberty 78.79%) and graduation rates (Longwood 61.60%, Liberty 63.50%).
Campus Experience: The universities differ dramatically in scale. Liberty enrolls 50,059 students, creating a large university atmosphere with extensive resources and programs. Longwood's 2,957 students foster a small college community where students receive more individual attention. Both compete in NCAA Division I athletics.
Outcomes: While graduation rates are comparable, Longwood graduates demonstrate stronger earning potential with median salaries $7,534 higher than Liberty graduates.
Liberty suits students seeking a large Christian university environment with extensive online options and lower admission barriers, while Longwood fits students preferring a small, close-knit public university experience with strong financial value and career outcomes.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Liberty University | Longwood University | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 99.3% | 87.8% |
| SAT Average | 1,115 | |
| Enrollment | 50,059 | 2,957 |
| In-State Tuition | $21,222 | $15,200 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $21,222 | $27,410 |
| Net Price | $29,552 | $20,814 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 63.5% | 61.6% |
| Retention Rate | 78.8% | 77.8% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $44,813 | $52,347 |
| Median Debt | $24,500 | $25,000 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| Liberty University | Longwood University | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $72,022 | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $59,350 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $68,219 | Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $45,417 |
| Computer Engineering. | $63,600 | Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $41,119 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $62,936 | Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $36,668 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | $57,705 | Communication and Media Studies. | $34,633 |