Liberty University's Admission Requirements

What does Liberty look for?

At Liberty, we seek to cultivate a culture of respect and grace — one that reflects the biblical fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) per Galatians 5:22-23.

We value intellectual ability, academic achievement, and the personal qualities that demonstrate you’ll be a good fit for our campus community and university mission.

Liberty students come from everywhere, bringing with them various experiences, cultures, backgrounds, and dreams for the future. When we evaluate undergraduate applications, it’s with the goal of identifying students who will thrive in and contribute to our unique culture.

The result is an extraordinarily rich mix of students — one of the things you’ll most enjoy about Liberty.

Ready to join the Liberty culture?

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Liberty’s Admission Decisions

Admission decisions are competitive and are based primarily on the following factors:

Cumulative (unweighted) GPA from high school or college
GED scores (if applicable)
Consistency and trends of grades
Results from the SAT, ACT, or CLT
Essay submission

Please note: Other documentation such as reference letters, community service, or leadership verification may also be required by the admissions committee on a case-by-case basis.

Admission Standards

50% of admitted students come from within the following mid-ranges:

High School GPA: 3.15-3.83
SAT (ERW* and math only): 1020-1220*
ACT composite: 20-27*
CLT: 63-89

*Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

Liberty University’s High School Requirements

Your high school must be accredited, or meet state standards. Please reach out to the Admissions Team for any questions on this process. For private schools, we can approve schools that are accredited by one of the following*:

ACCS – Association of Classical Christian Schools
ACSI – Association of Christian Schools International
ANSAA – Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Association
CIS – Council of International Schools
CSI – Christian Schools International
DoDEA – Department of Defense Education Activity
ISASW – Independent Schools of the Southwest
MSA-CESS – Middle States Association – Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools
NACSAA – North American Christian School Accrediting Agency
NCPS – National Council for Private School Education

NEASC – New England Association of Schools and Colleges
NECHE – New England Commission of Higher Education
NWCCU – Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SACS – Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
SWAES – Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools
TRACS – Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
VCPE – Virginia Council for Private Education
WASC – Western Association of Schools and Colleges

We will also accept accreditors listed as one of the U.S. Department of Education’s Non-Public Education Organizations.
*If you have questions regarding your high school’s accreditation, please contact the Office of Admissions.

For Private Schools whose accreditation cannot be confirmed:

Have your school submit a self-certification, confirming that their curriculum meets/exceeds state standards.
Statements confirming that state standards are being met on the transcript, can also be accepted.

While there are no specific course requirements for applicants, if you have completed these classes you’ll likely feel prepared for classroom expectations at Liberty. The recommended curriculum includes:

4 units of English
2-3 years of college preparatory mathematics
2 years of laboratory science
2 years of social science
2 years of foreign language
At least 4 units of elective credits

Liberty’s Admission Essay

One of the most important steps in your admission process to Liberty University is the admission essay. Your university personal essay is a chance to let us know who you are in your own words.

Submitting your college essay is required before you can be admitted to Liberty University, and it’s your opportunity to add your voice to your college application. This Liberty admissions essay allows you to share your faith and testimony with us.

Liberty University’s Application Essay Steps:

Step 1

Answer each question in just 100-150 words:

Describe how your personal faith and beliefs contribute to your college search process. (Examples include reasons for choosing Liberty, background information about your personal faith and beliefs, or other information you deem relevant.)
Liberty’s mission is to develop Christ-centered leaders. Describe how you will contribute to this mission as a Liberty student. (Examples include interests in church or community service, personal achievements or goals, or other examples of what you hope to achieve as a student.)

Step 2

Email your essay to admissionsdocs@liberty.edu with “ESSAY” as the subject line. In your essay heading, please include your full name, address, date of birth, and your student ID (if you have it).

Or upload or copy and paste your essay directly into your personalized Student Checklist.

Personal Essay Excerpts

These excerpts are intended to be used as inspiration to help you get started with your personal essay. Copying any part of these texts is not acceptable.

Describe how your personal faith and beliefs contribute to your college search process.

My personal faith and beliefs have made my college search prayerful and intentional — I know I want to attend a faith-based school like Liberty University because I want an environment that will help me grow in my faith.

Liberty’s mission is to develop Christ-centered leaders. Describe how you will contribute to this mission as a Liberty student.

As a Liberty student, I look forward to developing my event production skills through my program in the School of Communication & the Arts. I’ve been volunteering with my church’s production team for the past two years and enjoy using my passion to help other people experience a relationship with the Lord.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements for Liberty University?

Liberty University’s application requirements are generally to submit:

High school transcripts
College transcripts (if applicable)
Standardized test scores
Admissions essay

However, you may be required to submit additional documents depending on your unique student situation.

Is it hard to get into Liberty University?

Liberty’s admission requirements are designed to make the process simple for qualifying applicants. We do have general thresholds. For instance, the typical high school GPA for accepted students is 3.15-3.83. However, we strive to work with our students in all situations. If you are committed to following Christ and working hard academically, then we are excited to welcome you to our student body.

Does Liberty University use the Common App?

No, we do not utilize Common Application. In order to apply to Liberty, you must complete a unique application through our online portal. You may also apply over the phone with an admissions counselor. The Liberty University admissions phone number is (800) 543-5317. Finally, you may apply in person if you are attending an event.

What GPA do you need to get into Liberty University?

Liberty University’s GPA requirement is flexible because there is not a minimum threshold for our undergraduate residential students. However, most of our accepted students have a high school GPA of 3.15-3.83. So we always encourage our students to strive for this GPA range or higher to ensure success.

Does Liberty University require the ACT?

In order to be admitted to Liberty, most prospective undergraduate students need to submit recent SAT, ACT, or CLT scores (Liberty University is offering test-optional admission through Fall 2023 acceptance). You can choose to submit any or all of these. If you don’t have ACT scores, either of the other options are accepted.

Liberty University’s ACT mid-range score is 20-27. If you plan to submit ACT scores, we encourage you to strive for a score of 20 or higher.

What is the average SAT score for Liberty University?

Liberty University’s SAT requirements can vary from student to student because there are no set minimums. However, our accepted student mid-range for the SAT is 1020-1220.* If you are planning on submitting SAT scores for consideration, we encourage you to strive for a score of 1020 or higher.

*We do not review the essay portion of the SAT for acceptance purposes. Your SAT score will consist of the Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) sections only.

Does Liberty University require essays?

One of Liberty University’s entrance requirements is an admissions essay. In this essay, you will simply answer 2 prompts in just 100-150 words each.

What do you write in a university application essay?

Sometimes it’s hard to know what to write in your college application essay. If you’re looking for Liberty University admissions essay examples, consider reviewing our prompts. You will simply answer 2 questions with a total of 200-300 words. You may end up writing about your reason for choosing Liberty, your faith, or your personal interests – as long as you are answering the questions honestly and fully.

Is a degree from Liberty University respected?

Yes! Liberty University is regionally accredited by SACSCOC, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. This means all of our coursework meets rigorous academic standards. Your degree will be respected among other higher education institutions and future employers.

Transfer Student Admission Steps

Are you considering transferring colleges? Whether you have recently completed your associate’s degree, are a dual-enrolled high school student, or have credits from multiple schools, we are here to meet your needs as a transfer student to Liberty University.

We will provide you with clear and flexible options on how to successfully transfer and complete your undergraduate degree, regardless of your goals and background as a transfer student.

Step 1: Unofficial Transfer Consultation

Through the Unofficial Transfer Consultation, we will give you a general idea of what to expect regarding the application of your transfer credits to your chosen degree program before you even submit an application. This will determine how many courses you may satisfy and roughly how many courses you may still need in order to finish your chosen degree program.

Official Evaluation

An official evaluation of transfer credits will be provided once you have been accepted to Liberty and have submitted official transcripts from all institutions attended. If you have been accepted to Liberty for a future term and want to know how the credits you plan to take at your current school will transfer, check out our Transfer Calculator.

Step 2: Apply for Transfer Admission

Liberty has a rolling admissions process, meaning you can apply at any time. Submit your online application or contact an Admissions Counselor at (800) 543-5317 to submit your application over the phone.

Step 3: Submit Transcripts and Documents

In order to evaluate your credits, we must have official transcripts from every college or university you have attended. Please complete the Transcript Request Form and send it to your current or previous school(s). Transcripts must be sent directly from the school(s) to Liberty University in order to be considered official.

Transfer Evaluation Inquiry Form

If you are certain that a course you have taken is equivalent to a course in the Liberty University course catalog, consider submitting the Transfer Evaluation Inquiry Form. Make sure to review the guidelines and instructions before completing the form.

Transferrable Credit Hours Calculator

Find courses offered at other schools that are preapproved to transfer as Liberty University courses. If you want pre-approval for a course not present in a transfer guide, Submit a Future Course Request.

Liberty operates on the semester system. Results may vary if quarter-hour credits are earned and the conversion to semester hours may impact how courses can be transferred.

Disclaimer: These results are provided only as a guide and may be subject to change if you apply to Liberty University and your official transcripts are evaluated.

Transferrable Credit Hours

Add courses below to see how many credits you are able to transfer.

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Transfer Requirements

We expect you to be in good standing with your previous school when you transfer, but your Liberty University GPA will not be affected by any GPA received at another school. Please review our Transfer Student Policies and Guidelines for all requirements.

Find Out How Your Courses Will Transfer to Liberty

Transfer Agreements

Liberty has developed transfer agreements with the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) and North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) that include equivalency guides which guarantee the transfer of courses from participating colleges.

Have any Questions?

Contact

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Email | admissions@liberty.edu

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Liberty University’s Admission Requirements