
Liberty University, a private evangelical Christian university, is located in Lynchburg, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1971 by Jerry Falwell Sr. and Elmer L. Towns, the university has experienced rapid enrollment growth, with over 16,000 students taking classes on its 7,000-acre campus and more than 124,000 students enrolled in online programs worldwide. Liberty University is known for its diverse student body, representing all 50 states and over 100 nations, and its commitment to academic excellence, offering over 700 unique programs of study. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the university is an integral part of the local economy and community in Lynchburg, Virginia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Lynchburg, Virginia |
| Type of institution | Private Christian university |
| Year founded | 1971 |
| Campus size | 7,000 acres |
| Number of colleges and schools | 17 |
| Number of programs of study | Over 550 |
| Number of students | 52,823 (fall 2023) |
| Student body representation | All 50 states and Washington, D.C., and over 100 countries |
| Ranking | #392-434 in National Universities (2025 edition of Best Colleges) |
| Tuition and fees | $24,600 |
| Endowment | $1.71 billion (as of 2023) |
| Accreditation | Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (Level VI) |
| Notable characteristics | Strict honor code and student handbook; mandatory weekly convocation for residential and some commuter students |
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Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, Virginia, US
Liberty University is a private Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia, US. Founded in 1971, it is one of the largest Christian universities in the world and the largest private non-profit university in the United States by total student enrollment. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Liberty University boasts a vast 7,000-acre campus. The campus hosts over 550 programs of study within its 17 colleges and schools. The university's mission of creating "Champions for Christ" is encouraged through regular Convocation gatherings, which are the largest weekly gatherings of Christian students in North America.
The university has a strong religious focus, with a strict honor code that forbids premarital sex, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use. The Liberty Way, the student handbook, also prohibits words and actions indicating "LGBT states of mind", including kissing, holding hands, or dating a member of the same sex. Despite criticism for being unwelcoming to LGBT students, Liberty University maintains its religious foundations. The university even features a unique museum dedicated to the role of clergy and religious organizations during the Civil War era.
Liberty University's student body is diverse, representing all 50 states and Washington, D.C., as well as over 100 countries. The university values community engagement, with students volunteering more than 450,000 hours per year. The institution offers various programs, including an Honors Program, the Eagle Scholarship Program, a Quiz Bowl Team, and Student Travel opportunities. With a $1.71 billion endowment in 2023, Liberty University ranks highly among American colleges and universities.
Located in the heart of Virginia, Liberty University combines academic excellence with a deep commitment to Christian values. The university's expansive campus and diverse range of programs provide a rich educational experience for students from across the nation and the world. Liberty University's impact extends beyond its picturesque campus in Lynchburg, Virginia, as its students and alumni carry the values and knowledge gained from their time at this renowned institution.
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The university has over 16,000 on-campus students
Liberty University is a Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Founded in 1971, it is one of the largest Christian universities in the world and the largest private non-profit university in the United States by total student enrolment. The university's 7,000-acre campus is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The university offers more than 550 programs of study within its 17 colleges and schools. It is known for its conservative values and affiliation with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia. The student body adheres to a strict honour code that prohibits premarital sex, alcohol, and tobacco consumption. Same-sex relationships and expressions of LGBT identity are also forbidden.
Liberty University's campus features a $50 million library, which is part of a larger $500 million building and expansion plan. The university also houses the National Civil War Chaplains Museum, dedicated to the role of clergy and religious organisations during the Civil War era. The campus includes a memorial to its founder, Jerry Falwell, who passed away in 2007 and is buried on the rear lawn of the administrative mansion.
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There are more than 124,000 online students
Liberty University is a Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia. It was founded in 1971 and is one of the world's largest Christian universities. The university's 7,000-acre campus is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
As of fall 2023, Liberty University had a total undergraduate enrollment of 52,823 students. The student body represents all 50 states and Washington, D.C., as well as over 100 countries. In addition to its residential students, Liberty University has a significant number of online students. In fact, there are more than 124,000 online students enrolled at Liberty University. This large number of online students contributes to Liberty University's ranking as one of the largest universities in the United States.
As of 2010, Liberty University was the largest Evangelical Christian university in the world when including online students. In 2013, it became the largest private non-profit university in the United States. Liberty University offers a wide range of academic programs, with more than 550 programs of study within its 17 colleges and schools. The university has a mission of creating "Champions for Christ," and encourages students to attend Convocation, the largest weekly gathering of Christian students in North America.
The large number of online students at Liberty University contributes to its diverse and widespread student community. With students from across the United States and around the world, Liberty University offers a global perspective and connects people from different backgrounds. The university's online programs provide flexibility and accessibility, allowing students to pursue their academic goals while balancing other commitments.
The online programs at Liberty University likely attract students who are unable to attend traditional on-campus classes due to geographical, financial, or personal constraints. By offering online education, the university broadens its reach and provides educational opportunities to a wider audience. This inclusivity aligns with the university's Christian values and mission to serve a diverse population.
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Liberty University is one of the largest universities in Virginia
Liberty University is a private Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Founded in 1971, it is one of the largest universities in Virginia, with a 7,000-acre campus that boasts over 7.4 million square feet of building space. The university offers more than 550 programs of study within its 17 colleges and schools.
In 2013, Liberty University was the largest private non-profit university in the United States by total student enrollment, including online students. As of 2010, it was also the largest Evangelical Christian university in the world. In 2018, Liberty University was among the top ten colleges with the highest number of undergraduate enrolments in the fall semester. That same year, when including online students, it enrolled the most students of any US university.
The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 52,823 students (as of fall 2023). The student body represents all 50 states and Washington, D.C., as well as over 100 countries. Liberty University students are known for their community service, volunteering more than 450,000 hours per year.
The university's convocation, held at the Vines Center, is the largest weekly gathering of Christian students in North America. Attendance is mandatory for residential undergraduate and graduate students and commuter students under 21. Liberty University's mission of creating "Champions for Christ" is encouraged through the expectation that students attend convocation, where they can also watch live streams of the event.
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The university has a total student population of over 140,000
Liberty University is a private Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The university was founded in 1971 and currently has a total undergraduate enrolment of 52,823 students as of Fall 2023. The campus size spans 7,000 acres, with over 7.4 million square feet of building space.
Including online students, Liberty University was the largest university in Virginia in terms of combined traditional and distance learning students as of 2013. In 2018, it was among the top ten colleges enrolling the most undergraduates in the fall semester. When including online students, it enrolled the most students of any US university. The student body represents all 50 states and Washington, D.C., as well as over 100 countries.
The university offers more than 550 programs of study within its 17 colleges and schools. It is known for its conservative values and affiliation with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia. Liberty University has a strict honour code that prohibits premarital sex, same-sex relationships, alcohol, and tobacco use. Students are required to attend Convocation, the largest weekly gathering of Christian students in North America, held at the Vines Center on Wednesdays and Fridays.
With a significant student population, a vast campus, and a diverse range of academic programs, Liberty University is a prominent educational institution in the United States, particularly within the Christian higher education landscape.
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Frequently asked questions
Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, Virginia, United States. It is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is about a 3-hour drive from Washington, D.C.
Liberty University is one of the largest universities in the United States by student enrollment. In 2023-24, the university had a record-high enrollment of 16,000 on-campus students and 124,000 online students. For the 2024-25 academic year, the university projects an enrollment of approximately 127,000 online students and 17,600 students enrolled in the Liberty University Online Academy.
Liberty University is a private evangelical Christian university and is known for being one of the world's largest Christian universities. It was founded in 1971 by Jerry Falwell Sr. and Elmer L. Towns and has been described as a "bastion of the Christian right". The university offers over 700 unique programs of study, ranging from certificate to doctoral level, and is accredited by the Project 2025 advisory board.









































