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Liberty University vs University of Virginia-Main Campus

Liberty University is a private university in Lynchburg, VA. University of Virginia-Main Campus is a public university in Charlottesville, VA. University of Virginia-Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants and Liberty University about 99%, making University of Virginia-Main Campus the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $21,565 a year at University of Virginia-Main Campus after aid, and about $29,357 at Liberty University. About 95% of students graduate at University of Virginia-Main Campus, compared with 64% at Liberty University. Ten years after enrolling, University of Virginia-Main Campus alumni earn a median of about $86,863, against $44,813 for Liberty University.

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA · Private

University of Virginia-Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Lynchburg, VA
Charlottesville, VA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
50,012
17,597
Acceptance rate
99%
17%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.19–3.69
3.49–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1040–1250
1410–1540
ACT (middle 50%)
21–29
32–35
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$29,357
$21,565
Full cost / yr
$42,025
$39,926
In-state tuition
$22,465
$21,803
Out-of-state tuition
$22,465
$59,512
Application fee
$50
$75
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$30,667
$8,174
$30k - $48k
$27,807
$9,696
$48k - $75k
$27,347
$13,283
$75k - $110k
$27,142
$20,822
Over $110k
$30,545
$35,402
Outcomes
Graduation rate
64%
95%
Freshman retention
80%
98%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$39,707
$72,359
Median earnings (10 yr)
$44,813
$86,863
Median debt at graduation
$24,500
$17,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
38%
16%
First-generation students
42%
16%
International students
1%
5%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 1
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Jul 29
Jan 5

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Liberty University or University of Virginia-Main Campus harder to get into?
University of Virginia-Main Campus is harder to get into. It admits about 17% of applicants, compared with 99% at Liberty University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Liberty University or University of Virginia-Main Campus?
University of Virginia-Main Campus is cheaper on average. Students pay about $21,565 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $29,357 at Liberty University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Liberty University and University of Virginia-Main Campus?
Before aid, University of Virginia-Main Campus costs about $39,926 a year and Liberty University about $42,025. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Liberty University or University of Virginia-Main Campus?
University of Virginia-Main Campus. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,174 there, against about $30,667 at Liberty University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Liberty University or University of Virginia-Main Campus?
Liberty University is the larger of the two, with about 50,012 undergraduates against 17,597 at University of Virginia-Main Campus.
Does Liberty University or University of Virginia-Main Campus have a better graduation rate?
University of Virginia-Main Campus has the higher graduation rate, at about 95% against 64% at Liberty University.
Do graduates of Liberty University or University of Virginia-Main Campus earn more?
University of Virginia-Main Campus alumni earn more on average: a median of about $86,863 ten years after enrolling, against about $44,813 for Liberty University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Liberty University and University of Virginia-Main Campus require SAT or ACT scores?
Liberty University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. University of Virginia-Main Campus is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Liberty University and University of Virginia-Main Campus look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1040–1250 at Liberty University and 1410–1540 at University of Virginia-Main Campus. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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