Liberty University's Annual Student Application Numbers Revealed

Liberty University, a private evangelical Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia, is one of the largest universities in the United States by total student enrollment. The university offers a wide range of academic fields and has seen a steady increase in applications over the years, with a record-breaking number of students enrolling in 2022.

Liberty University's online vs. in-person student ratio

Liberty University, a private Christian institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia, offers a wide range of academic fields at its 15 colleges and schools. The university has a large number of online programs, with tens of thousands of students pursuing degrees from Liberty University Online. The school has offered online education since 1985, with over 600 online programs available.

For the 2023-24 academic year, Liberty University hit a record high of 124,000 students enrolled in online programs, with an expected increase to approximately 127,000 students for the 2024-25 academic year. In comparison, the university has over 16,000 students taking classes on campus, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 52,823 as of Fall 2023.

The university offers a mix of residential and online programs, with over 700 unique programs of study in total. The residential programs include over 350 programs, while the online programs comprise over 600 programs.

The gender breakdown of the student body differs between residential and online programs. For residential programs, the student population is 48% male and 52% female, while for online programs, it is 41% male and 59% female.

Liberty University's online programs have been a significant contributor to its overall enrollment numbers and have helped the university achieve record-breaking enrollment figures. The university's online offerings provide flexibility and accessibility for students who may not be able to attend classes on campus.

The university's religious influence on its curriculum

Liberty University, a private evangelical Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia, offers a wide range of academic fields across its 15 colleges and schools. The university was founded in 1971 by Jerry Falwell, a prominent Baptist minister, televangelist, and conservative political activist. The university's mission is to develop Christ-centered men and women with the values, knowledge, and skills essential to impact the world. The university emphasizes a Christian worldview and aims to provide students with a foundation in the liberal arts, encouraging them to remain committed to their faith and live it out in their lives.

The university's religious influence is evident in its curriculum, with undergraduate students required to take three evangelical Bible-studies classes. The university also offers a Bachelor's in Religious Studies, where students can learn about the history of the Christian church, Christian evidences, and world religions. The School of Divinity, the largest in the world based on student enrollment, offers a diverse range of programs, including the Center for Apologetics and Cultural Engagement, which equips students to defend their faith in light of trending issues such as racism, sexuality, and morality.

The university's honor code, known as the "Liberty Way," reflects its religious values and emphasizes purity culture. It prohibits premarital sex, cohabitation, romantic relationships between members of the same sex, and alcohol consumption. The code has been criticized for making it difficult for students to report sexual violence and creating an environment that discourages such reporting.

Liberty University's religious influence extends beyond the classroom, with students gathering regularly for worship services and convocation, which features speakers from various fields. The university also offers a variety of ministry opportunities, such as internship programs with churches and parachurch organizations locally, nationally, and globally.

With its focus on Christian values and faith-based education, Liberty University aims to train and develop students who will make a difference in the world while remaining committed to their spiritual beliefs.

Liberty's unique programs and degrees

Liberty University offers a wide range of unique programs and degrees for its students. With over 700 programs of study, both residential and online, Liberty provides various options for students to pursue their academic goals. Here are some highlights of Liberty's diverse and distinctive academic offerings:

Variety of Degree Types

Liberty University offers a comprehensive range of degree types, catering to students at different stages of their academic journeys. The university provides associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs. Additionally, it offers undergraduate- and graduate-level certificate programs, giving students the flexibility to gain specialized knowledge and skills without committing to a full degree.

Diverse Academic Fields

The university's academic programs span a broad spectrum of disciplines. Liberty's 15 unique schools and colleges offer programs in fields such as communication and the arts, osteopathic medicine, business administration, exercise science and wellness, aviation, theology, psychology, and many more. This diversity allows students to explore a wide range of interests and career paths.

Online Education Pioneer

Liberty University has been a pioneer and leader in online education, offering distance learning options since 1985. With over 600 online programs, the university makes quality education accessible to students worldwide. The online courses are typically eight weeks long, with some programs requiring brief periods of on-campus attendance for face-to-face instruction.

Christian Focus

As a Christian university, Liberty integrates its faith-based values into the curriculum. The university offers programs such as Christian Apologetics, Christian Leadership, Church Ministry, and Biblical Studies. Students interested in pursuing a Christian education while gaining professional skills will find a unique and enriching academic environment at Liberty.

Hands-on Learning and Faculty Expertise

Liberty University emphasizes hands-on learning and provides students with access to advanced academic facilities, including the nationally recognized Jerry Falwell Library. The university's professors combine academic expertise with real-world experience, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for their future careers.

Accreditation and Recognition

Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This accreditation ensures that the university meets high academic standards and provides a quality education. Additionally, specific programs within the university hold accreditations from specialized accrediting bodies, further enhancing their reputation and recognition.

With its diverse range of programs, online accessibility, Christian focus, hands-on learning approach, and accredited status, Liberty University offers a unique and comprehensive educational experience to its students.

The university's political affiliations

Liberty University, a private evangelical Christian university, is known for its conservative political leanings and affiliations with the Republican Party. The university was founded in 1971 by Jerry Falwell Sr., a prominent Baptist minister, televangelist, and conservative political activist. Falwell Sr. was also the founder of the Moral Majority, a right-wing political organization, and the university has been described as a ""bastion of the Christian right." The university's political affiliations have been a source of both praise and criticism.

Political Affiliations and Activities

Liberty University has a history of engaging with conservative politics and welcoming Republican leaders and speakers to its campus. The university has been referred to as a "stage of choice in Republican presidential politics" and a "pilgrimage site for GOP candidates." Notable Republican figures who have visited the campus include Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, and John McCain. In 2017, President Donald Trump gave the commencement address, becoming the first sitting president to do so. Other notable speakers include Vice President Mike Pence, First Lady Melania Trump, and various Trump cabinet officials.

The university's conservative political leanings are reflected in its academics as well. The Helms School of Government, named after former Republican senator Jesse Helms, offers degrees in areas such as criminal justice, government, and public administration. The university also has a think tank called the Standing for Freedom Center, which has hosted conservative figures such as former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Criticism and Controversy

While Liberty University's political affiliations have drawn support from conservatives, they have also sparked controversy and criticism. The university has been accused of creating an unwelcoming environment for LGBTQ+ students and students with differing political views. In 2009, the university withdrew official recognition of the student Young Democrats club, citing conflicts with the school's conservative Christian principles. The university has also faced allegations of censorship, with reports of administrators overriding student editors' decisions and censoring articles critical of former President Trump in the student newspaper.

In addition, Liberty University has been criticised for its handling of sexual assault and domestic violence cases. A 2021 ProPublica investigation found that the university's honour code, which emphasises purity culture, has led to a discouragement of reporting and blaming of female students who come forward with claims of sexual assault. The university has also been accused of poor management of sexual assault cases, with a 2023 report by the U.S. Department of Education alleging that school officials failed to report campus crime and safety statistics and retaliated against employees who raised concerns.

Political Engagement of Students and Alumni

The political affiliations of Liberty University extend beyond the administration and into the student body and alumni network. The university's convocation, a mandatory gathering for residential undergraduate and graduate students, has been described as the "largest weekly gathering of Christian students in America." The university also has a College Republicans club, which remains officially recognised by the school.

Liberty University alumni have gone on to hold political office, including Bob Good, a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and Troy Nehls, a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Additionally, former students have been involved in political activism, such as Kennedi Williams, Dee Brown, and TreShaun Clark, who organised a Black Lives Matter protest on campus.

Liberty's student demographics

Liberty University, a private evangelical Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia, offers a wide range of academic fields across 15 colleges and schools. The university's student body is diverse, with students from all 50 states and over 80 countries represented in its residential programs, and a global reach through its online programs.

Residential Students

As of 2021, the residential student body is predominantly White (74%), followed by Latino (5%), Black (4%), two or more races (3%), Asian or Pacific Islander (2%), Native American (<1%), and 7% identifying as "other." The gender ratio is 45% male to 54% female, with a slight majority of female students on campus.

Online Students

The online student body is more evenly distributed between the genders, with 41% male and 59% female.

Military Students

Liberty University serves a significant number of military-affiliated students, with over 40,000 enrolled.

International Students

While the exact number of international students is not specified, Liberty University's student body includes representation from over 80 countries in its residential programs and a global reach through its online programs.

Undergraduate Enrollment

Liberty University has a substantial undergraduate enrollment, with 52,823 students as of Fall 2023.

Graduate Enrollment

The university also offers various graduate programs, but the specific number of graduate students is not provided. However, Liberty University is known for its large number of online students, with tens of thousands pursuing degrees online.

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