In a Nutshell
pros
- Fully accredited institution
- Over 600 degree programs
- Strong student support resources
cons
- No 24/7 support
- Some programs require campus visits
Liberty University at a Glance
Years Operating
Variety of Programs
Tuition
Accreditation
Degree Levels
Overview
Liberty University is a Christian college that was founded in 1971. While it offers residential classes, it also provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs online to students all over the world.
The school and many of its programs are accredited and recognized by multiple organizations for academic quality. It features a variety of degree programs, as well as plenty of student services and resources.
What is Liberty University?
Liberty University is an institution that offers over 600 online degree programs to students in areas like business, social work, IT, nursing, and others. It’s great for those who want the freedom to study and complete assignments with flexibility that residential courses can't offer.
Many people are too busy with a full-time job or looking after a family to attend a typical in-person university. Liberty solves this problem by allowing you to work around your existing schedule.
The school offers assistance and support every step of the way, and getting started is quick and easy.
Is Liberty University Safe and Reliable?
Yes, Liberty University is a safe and reliable institution. It has been around for over 50 years and is a pioneer in distance education. The school started by mailing VHS tapes of courses and content to students back in 1985, and that program has evolved into the online education program seen today.
It’s fully accredited as an institution by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and many programs are accredited by leading organizations and councils.
How Liberty University Works
Liberty's online programs offer flexibility that traditional residential courses do not. Instead of having to focus on your course work during specific, rigid times, each week, you'll determine how you'll meet the assignment deadlines. Once the course starts, you'll see the dates the assignments are due for the entire eight weeks, allowing you to plan ahead and work ahead, if needed. You'll do everything online, from communicating with classmates and professors to submitting work.
How to get started with Liberty University
To get started, you need to apply to the degree program you desire. If you’re unsure which suits your goals, you can contact an advisor. You’ll also need to submit your admission requirements, such as transcripts.
Next, you must decide how to finance your education, whether through a student loan, tuition assistance, payment plans, or other options. After that, you can submit your application and should hear back in a few days.
If your application is successful, the next step is to register for your courses. Your degree completion plan should help you decide what courses to sign up for, but you can also contact an advisor for assistance.
Overall, I like how easy it is to get started and how streamlined the application process is.
Terms and fees
Liberty University publicly posts its tuition online. Undergraduate tuition starts as low as $390 per credit hour for full-time students and $455 for part-time students. Graduate tuition starts as low as $565 per credit hour for full-time and $615 for part-time.
Undergraduate students are considered full time when taking 12 or more credit hours at a time. Graduate students are considered full time when taking 9 or more credit hours at a time. Doctoral students are considered full time when taking 6 or more credit hours at a time.
While tuition makes up the bulk of student fees, there are other costs you may be responsible for paying. This includes a $50 application fee, a $299 technology fee (per semester), course fees, and a $100 degree completion application fee.
Liberty University Student Resources
Liberty University provides several resources for students. This includes tutorial videos, tutoring, a writing center, and an online library. It offers help at all stages of your education, from assisting with admission and choosing a degree, fine-tuning your résumé, and more.
Liberty offers several ways to contact them if you need assistance. You can reach out over the phone, send an email, or start a live chat with an advis
The hours for live chats are 8am-5pm (EST) on Monday-Friday, and 10am-6pm (EST) on Saturday. For phone calls, the hours are as follows:
8 a.m.- 8 p.m. EST on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
8 a.m.- 6 p.m. EST on Wednesday
10 a.m.- 6 p.m. EST on Saturday
Liberty University Alternatives
How Liberty University compares with other online universities
Liberty University
Lynn University
SNHU
Capella University
Years operating
53
62
92
31
Credit transfer limit
75% for undergraduate courses
75% for undergraduate courses
75% for undergraduate courses
75% for undergraduate courses
Variety of degrees
600+
49
200+
160+
Student resources
- Peer tutoring
- Writing center
- Technical support
- Career center
- Academic advisors
- Online library
- Career services
- Technical support
- Academic advisors
- Career center
- Tutoring
- Technical support
- Academic advisors
- Online bookstore
- Career support
- Writing support
- Technical support
- Academic advisors
- Online library
- Free academic support
Online experience
- Streamlined application
- Transparent pricing
- Learning modules with intensive in-person courses
- Streamlined application process
- Informative FAQ
- Transparent pricing
- Group interactive classes, original eBooks, and hands-on learning
- Fast and free online application
- Transparent pricing
- Self-paced learning modules
- Streamlined application process
- Large number of FAQ
- Transparent pricing
- Group interactive classes, live sessions, recorded content
Liberty University vs. Lynn University
Liberty hasn’t been around as long as Lynn University but offers hundreds more online degrees. They both offer quality education, but Lynn provides greater innovation regarding technology and learning materials.
Liberty University vs. SNHU
SNHU has a longer history than Liberty but offers far fewer degree programs. Both schools have well over 100,000 online students, and the cost of their tuition per credit hour is similar. A major difference is that Liberty is a Christian college, whereas SNHU has no religious affiliation.
Liberty University vs. Capella University
Both Liberty and Capella offer quality online education, but Liberty has been around for decades and offers a greater variety of degrees. Both are reliable and accredited, with options for full- and part-time students.
Bottom Line
Liberty University is a good choice if you’re looking for an online college to further your education on your terms. It offers hundreds of flexible degree programs that help you work on classes when it’s best for you, is fully accredited, and has numerous helpful student services to improve your experience.