Lynchburg, VA · Private University
Is Liberty University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$44,813
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$21,222
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$21,222
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$84,888
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.11x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
8.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
63.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$24,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$29,552
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Liberty University graduates earn $187 less than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Liberty University ranked by graduate earnings
251 graduates
30 graduates
242 graduates
91 graduates
506 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Liberty University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Liberty University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer and Information Sciences, General: $88,983) and the lowest (Film/Video and Photographic Arts: $20,512) is $68,471/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $88,983 | 4.2x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $83,377 | 3.9x |
| Air Transportation | $77,721 | 3.7x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $74,585 | 3.5x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $70,066 | 3.3x |
| Military Systems and Maintenance Technology(1yr data) | $66,126 | 3.1x |
| Mechanical Engineering(1yr data) | $65,794 | 3.1x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $60,138 | 2.8x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $58,047 | 2.7x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $54,361 | 2.6x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $51,272 | 2.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $48,474 | 2.3x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $46,175 | 2.2x |
| Social Sciences, General | $45,620 | 2.1x |
| Religion/Religious Studies | $44,318 | 2.1x |
| Public Health | $43,795 | 2.1x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services(1yr data) | $43,578 | 2.0x |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | $41,716 | 2.0x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $41,591 | 2.0x |
| Legal Support Services | $41,192 | 1.9x |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General(1yr data) | $40,717 | 1.9x |
| History | $39,608 | 1.9x |
| Journalism(1yr data) | $39,592 | 1.9x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $39,447 | 1.9x |
| Social Work(1yr data) | $38,828 | 1.8x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $38,584 | 1.8x |
| Biology, General | $38,401 | 1.8x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $38,045 | 1.8x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $37,236 | 1.8x |
| Psychology, General | $36,871 | 1.7x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $36,375 | 1.7x |
| Religious/Sacred Music | $35,910 | 1.7x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $35,872 | 1.7x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication(1yr data) | $34,506 | 1.6x |
| American Sign Language(1yr data) | $32,117 | 1.5x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $31,860 | 1.5x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $31,357 | 1.5x |
| Music | $30,707 | 1.4x |
| International/Global Studies(1yr data) | $30,349 | 1.4x |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | $30,003 | 1.4x |
| Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate)(1yr data) | $27,637 | 1.3x |
| Education, General(1yr data) | $25,194 | 1.2x |
| Zoology/Animal Biology(1yr data) | $23,988 | 1.1x |
| Film/Video and Photographic ArtsLowest(1yr data) | $20,512 | 1.0x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Liberty University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $44,813 10 years after starting, $187 below the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 8.7 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.