Liberty University announces record enrollment: Over 16,000 on campus, 124,000 online

Liberty University has announced historic numbers for its residential and online programs. The university is marking its first fall semester to surpass 16,000 students taking classes on campus (16,131).

As a pioneer and longtime leader in online education, Liberty hit a record 124,000 students pursuing degrees online from across the nation and around the globe in the 2023-24 academic year, and it projects another record of approximately 127,000 students for 2024-25. Additionally, over 17,600 students are enrolled in Liberty University Online Academy, which offers Christian online education for K-12.

Liberty’s overall enrollment for 2024-25, in both residential and online programs, is expected to exceed 140,000 students.

Liberty welcomed over 4,400 new incoming undergraduates this fall. With the opening of the new high-rise Commons IV residence hall, there are more students living on campus than ever before — 8,452. The current residential population includes students from all 50 states and 77 countries.

“I never cease to be amazed at what God continues to do through His university, which includes witnessing Liberty’s growth in real time,” said Liberty President Dondi E. Costin. “As we celebrate these record achievements, we are reminded of Dr. Falwell’s vision for a world-class Christian university dedicated to Training Champions for Christ who would transform their workplaces and communities in every corner of the globe. That vision is being realized every day as our faculty and staff colleagues embrace their collective calling to invest themselves in student success here on Liberty Mountain and through our global online programs. We give all the glory to God for His remarkable work.”

While enrollment at colleges and universities nationwide continues to trend downward, Liberty has experienced steady increases for six straight years. Founded in 1971, Liberty remains one of the youngest universities to experience rapid enrollment growth in the last 10 years — up 13.1% from 13,685 residential students in Fall 2014 and up 33.2% from 67,612 online students the same year.

Even with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and regulations that affected colleges, Liberty welcomed 5,215 new residential students in Fall 2021.

Freshman Caroline Meehan from Wilmington, N.C., came to Liberty to pursue a degree in aviation. She was accepted into 10 other institutions but decided on Liberty because of its biblical approach to education and its strong spiritual life programs.

“The culture here is truly like no other,” she said. “I think that the rapid growth here is cultivated by a steadfast reputation of a Jesus-seeking community. … I wholeheartedly believe that Liberty attracts strong believers and does not sway when it comes to modern-day issues, and everything is rooted in biblical evidence. The way that the professors, administrators, and leadership hold their biblical convictions close to their hearts permeates and expands the foundation of what (Liberty founder) Jerry Falwell Sr. would have wanted.”

Liberty has 15 colleges and schools, including a law school and medical school.

As the university continues to experience growth in numbers, it has expanded its capacity to serve more students by diversifying degree programs, utilizing innovative technologies, upgrading campus life offerings, and investing in campus infrastructure with new and upgraded facilities.

ABOUT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

Liberty University, founded in 1971, is the world’s premier Christian university, one of the largest private, nonprofit universities in the nation, and the largest university in Virginia. Located near the Blue Ridge Mountains on over 7,000 acres in Lynchburg, Va., Liberty offers more than 700 unique programs of study from the certificate to the doctoral level. Over 600 programs are offered online. Utilizing its world-class infrastructure and Christian faculty, Liberty’s mission is to Train Champions for Christ with the values, knowledge, and skills essential for impacting tomorrow’s world.