Cal Baptist vs Liberty University

California Baptist University and Liberty University, two prominent private Christian universities, offer distinct educational experiences. CBU, located in Riverside, California, boasts a diverse student body and a strong focus on liberal arts, while Liberty, situated in Lynchburg, Virginia, is known for its large evangelical community and its emphasis on online learning. With acceptance rates of 68% and 58%, respectively, both universities welcome a substantial number of applicants. While CBU's popular majors include nursing, business, and psychology, Liberty excels in fields such as business, education, and religion. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including student demographics, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your choice of higher education.

	California Baptist University	Liberty University
Overview
Location	Riverside, California	Lynchburg, Virginia
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	79.0%	79.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation	Baptist	Evangelical

Admission
Acceptance rate	63.7%	99.3%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $45 Graduate: $45	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	9,474	28,448
Total number of admissions given out	6,038	28,244
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,372	5,461
Yield rate	22.7%	19.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$60,240	$42,620
Average net price	$23,494	$27,891
Tuition	$34,918	$21,663
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,010 Meal plan: $6,070	Room/dormitory: $6,150 Meal plan: $4,560
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	99.0% Average amount $23,083	89.0% Average amount $12,431
Students receiving federal student loan	63.0% Average amount $5,158	52.0% Average amount $5,619
Students taking out private loans	10.0% Average amount $17,717	9.0% Average amount $17,351

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	8,252 Men 36.5% Women 63.5%	47,696 Men 43.0% Women 57.0%
Graduate students	3,237 Men 26.2% Women 73.8%	47,013 Men 38.7% Women 61.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	5.8%	76.0%
International students	2.7%	0.7%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	3,707	8,222
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Oregon Nevada Texas Washington	Virginia North Carolina Pennsylvania Texas Florida

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Education Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Psychology	Education Business Health Professions Psychology Theology
Students to faculty ratio	19:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	56.7%	62.1%
Dropout rate	13.4%	30.2%
Transferred out	27.8%	5.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $107,806 Year 2: $111,769 Year 3: $126,508 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $79,565 Year 2: $84,201 Year 3: $89,271 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,920 Year 2: $68,499 Year 3: $76,680 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,278 Year 2: $70,009 Year 3: $76,627 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $66,234 Year 2: $73,075 Year 3: $75,576 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $66,093 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $71,856 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,219 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $68,919 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,109 Year 2: $66,821 Year 3: $66,661 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $61,957 Year 2: $61,060 Year 3: $66,113 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,538 Year 2: $51,106 Year 3: $61,484	Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,316 Year 2: $62,012 Year 3: $91,964 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,385 Year 2: $80,964 Year 3: $87,831 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,657 Year 2: $68,219 Year 3: $77,205 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,410 Year 2: $72,022 Year 3: $73,900 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,556 Year 2: $51,106 Year 3: $65,313 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,731 Year 2: $62,936 Year 3: $64,580 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,576 Year 2: $57,705 Year 3: $62,807 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $60,423 Year 2: $57,714 Year 3: $62,225 Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $40,885 Year 2: $56,415 Year 3: $62,169 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $58,240 Year 2: $59,895 Year 3: $61,052

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary religious affiliations of California Baptist University (CBU) and Liberty University?

California Baptist University is affiliated with the California Southern Baptist Convention, which is part of the Southern Baptist Convention. Liberty University is also affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.
How do the campus environments differ between CBU and Liberty University?

CBU is located in Riverside, California, offering a more traditional Southern California experience with access to beaches, mountains, and a diverse cultural landscape. Liberty University is situated in Lynchburg, Virginia, providing a more focused, self-contained campus environment with a strong emphasis on Christian community and on-campus activities.
What is the academic focus at each university?

Both universities emphasize a Christian worldview in their academics. CBU offers a wide range of programs, including strong programs in healthcare, business, and education, with a growing emphasis on STEM fields. Liberty University has a broad academic scope, with particularly well-known programs in communications, aviation, and online education, alongside robust offerings in theology and ministry.
How do the student populations compare?

Liberty University has a significantly larger student body, including a very large online student population. CBU has a smaller, more intimate campus community, fostering closer relationships between students and faculty. Both universities have a diverse student body, though Liberty's is larger and more geographically diverse.
What are the costs associated with attending CBU and Liberty University?

Tuition and fees vary, so it's best to check the most current information on each university's website. Generally, both universities offer financial aid and scholarship opportunities to help make education more affordable. Consider factors like room and board, books, and personal expenses when comparing overall costs.
What are the athletic programs like at CBU and Liberty University?

Both universities have competitive athletic programs. CBU competes in NCAA Division I, primarily in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Liberty University also competes in NCAA Division I, with a wide range of sports and a strong presence in the ASUN Conference and other conferences.
How do the campus cultures differ?

Both universities have a strong Christian culture. CBU emphasizes community involvement and service, with a focus on integrating faith and learning. Liberty University has a very active campus life with a strong emphasis on spiritual development, student leadership, and a conservative social environment.
What are the opportunities for online learning at CBU and Liberty University?

Both universities offer online degree programs. Liberty University is particularly well-known for its extensive online offerings, providing a wide array of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. CBU also has a growing online presence, offering a variety of programs designed for online learners.
How do the career services compare?

Both universities provide career services to assist students with job searching, resume writing, and career planning. The specific resources and industry connections may vary. It's recommended to explore the career services websites of each university to see which best aligns with your career goals.
What is the overall reputation of each university?

Both CBU and Liberty University are respected Christian universities. Liberty University is known for its large size, online programs, and conservative values. CBU is recognized for its strong academic programs, commitment to community service, and location in Southern California. The best choice depends on your individual preferences and academic goals.

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