Liberty University vs Randolph-Macon College: A Data-Driven Comparison
Admission Difficulty
Liberty University accepts 99.29% of applicants, making admission nearly guaranteed. Randolph-Macon College is more selective at 85.45% acceptance, requiring stronger academic credentials.
Cost and Value
Liberty charges $21,222 in tuition regardless of residency, while Randolph-Macon costs $48,002. However, after financial aid, Liberty's average net price is $29,552 compared to Randolph-Macon's $27,759. Graduates typically carry $24,500 in debt at Liberty versus $27,000 at Randolph-Macon.
Academic Strengths
Randolph-Macon offers smaller classes with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio compared to Liberty's 18:1 ratio. This translates to more personalized attention at Randolph-Macon. Liberty's retention rate is 78.79%, while Randolph-Macon retains 80.92% of students. Randolph-Macon achieves a higher six-year graduation rate of 74.60% versus Liberty's 63.50%.
Campus Experience
Liberty enrolls 50,059 students, creating a large university atmosphere with Division I athletics. Randolph-Macon serves 1,489 students, fostering a tight-knit community with Division III sports and greater opportunities for campus involvement.
Outcomes
Randolph-Macon graduates earn a median salary of $58,448 after ten years, significantly higher than Liberty graduates' $44,813. This $13,635 difference helps offset the higher initial tuition costs.
Liberty suits students seeking affordable education, large campus life, and guaranteed admission, while Randolph-Macon fits those wanting small class sizes, close faculty relationships, and higher earning potential.
Admission Difficulty
Liberty University accepts 99.29% of applicants, making admission nearly guaranteed. Randolph-Macon College is more selective at 85.45% acceptance, requiring stronger academic credentials.
Cost and Value
Liberty charges $21,222 in tuition regardless of residency, while Randolph-Macon costs $48,002. However, after financial aid, Liberty's average net price is $29,552 compared to Randolph-Macon's $27,759. Graduates typically carry $24,500 in debt at Liberty versus $27,000 at Randolph-Macon.
Academic Strengths
Randolph-Macon offers smaller classes with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio compared to Liberty's 18:1 ratio. This translates to more personalized attention at Randolph-Macon. Liberty's retention rate is 78.79%, while Randolph-Macon retains 80.92% of students. Randolph-Macon achieves a higher six-year graduation rate of 74.60% versus Liberty's 63.50%.
Campus Experience
Liberty enrolls 50,059 students, creating a large university atmosphere with Division I athletics. Randolph-Macon serves 1,489 students, fostering a tight-knit community with Division III sports and greater opportunities for campus involvement.
Outcomes
Randolph-Macon graduates earn a median salary of $58,448 after ten years, significantly higher than Liberty graduates' $44,813. This $13,635 difference helps offset the higher initial tuition costs.
Liberty suits students seeking affordable education, large campus life, and guaranteed admission, while Randolph-Macon fits those wanting small class sizes, close faculty relationships, and higher earning potential.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Liberty University | Randolph-Macon College | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 99.3% | 85.5% |
| SAT Average | 1,120 | |
| Enrollment | 50,059 | 1,489 |
| In-State Tuition | $21,222 | $48,002 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $21,222 | $48,002 |
| Net Price | $29,552 | $27,759 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 63.5% | 74.6% |
| Retention Rate | 78.8% | 80.9% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $44,813 | $58,448 |
| Median Debt | $24,500 | $27,000 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| Liberty University | Randolph-Macon College | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $72,022 | Mathematics. | $53,810 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $68,219 | Accounting and Related Services. | $47,260 |
| Computer Engineering. | $63,600 | Communication and Media Studies. | $44,276 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $62,936 | Economics. | $43,426 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | $57,705 | Political Science and Government. | $41,342 |