Purdue Global vs Liberty University

Purdue University Global and Liberty University, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences to students seeking flexible and accessible pathways to higher education. Purdue University Global, known for its strong online presence and career-focused programs, boasts an open admissions policy, making it an accessible option for learners of diverse backgrounds. In contrast, Liberty University, rooted in its Christian heritage, maintains a selective admissions process, ensuring a more rigorous academic environment. While both universities cater to a diverse student body, Liberty University's student population predominantly comprises traditional-age undergraduates, while Purdue University Global attracts a larger proportion of adult learners seeking to advance their careers. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more, helping you make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal goals.

	Purdue University Global	Liberty University
Overview
Location	West Lafayette, Indiana	Lynchburg, Virginia
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Non Traditional	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	75.0%	79.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation		Evangelical

Admission
Acceptance rate	Open Admission	99.3%
Application fees		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		28,448
Total number of admissions given out		28,244
Admitted students who chose to enroll		5,461
Yield rate		19.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	Not required	N/A
High school GPA	N/A	Required
Recommendation letters	N/A	Not required
High school transcript	N/A	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	N/A	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $17,985 Out of state: $22,296	$42,620
Average net price	$3,802	$27,891
Tuition	In state: $10,080 Out of state: $13,356	$21,663
Room & board		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)	93.0% Average amount $8,251	89.0% Average amount $12,431
Students receiving federal student loan	36.0% Average amount $6,362	52.0% Average amount $5,619
Students taking out private loans	0.0% Average amount $0	9.0% Average amount $17,351

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	32,477 Men 39.6% Women 60.4%	47,696 Men 43.0% Women 57.0%
Graduate students	10,981 Men 26.8% Women 73.2%	47,013 Men 38.7% Women 61.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	90.9%	76.0%
International students	0.3%	0.7%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	N/A	8,222
First year students are required to live on campus?	N/A	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Texas Indiana Georgia Florida Pennsylvania	Virginia North Carolina Pennsylvania Texas Florida

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Computer and Information Science Law Enforcement and Firefighting Multidisciplinary Studies	Education Business Health Professions Psychology Theology
Students to faculty ratio	27:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	28.7%	62.1%
Dropout rate	55.4%	30.2%
Transferred out	14.8%	5.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $92,778 Year 2: $101,792 Year 3: $105,379 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,860 Year 2: $97,579 Year 3: $98,242 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,216 Year 2: $73,792 Year 3: $77,623 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $68,219 Year 3: $76,422 Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $74,228 Fire Protection (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,459 Year 2: $73,446 Year 3: $69,334 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $65,825 Year 2: $64,493 Year 3: $65,353 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $56,925 Year 2: $58,673 Year 3: $62,559 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,990 Year 2: $63,997 Year 3: $61,514 Fire Protection (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $68,511 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $61,002	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 differences between Purdue University Global and Liberty University?

Purdue University Global, as part of the Purdue University system, focuses on providing career-oriented online education for working adults. Liberty University, on the other hand, is a private, evangelical Christian university offering a broader range of programs, both online and on-campus, with a strong emphasis on integrating faith into its curriculum.
Which university is better suited for online learning?

Both Purdue University Global and Liberty University are well-equipped for online learning. Purdue University Global is specifically designed for online education, offering a wide array of programs tailored for adult learners. Liberty University also has a robust online presence, providing a large selection of degree programs with flexible learning options. The 'better' choice depends on your individual needs and learning style.
How do the academic programs compare between Purdue University Global and Liberty University?

Purdue University Global emphasizes career-focused programs in areas like business, IT, nursing, and criminal justice. Liberty University offers a broader range of programs, including those in the arts, sciences, and theology, alongside professional fields. Consider your specific academic interests and career goals when making your decision.
What is the cost difference between attending Purdue University Global and Liberty University?

Tuition costs can vary depending on the specific program and enrollment status. Generally, Purdue University Global aims to offer competitive tuition rates for its online programs. Liberty University's tuition can vary based on the program and whether you are an online or residential student. It's best to check each university's website for the most up-to-date tuition information and available financial aid options.
How does the faculty expertise differ between the two universities?

Purdue University Global's faculty often have extensive professional experience in their respective fields, bringing real-world knowledge to the online classroom. Liberty University's faculty includes both experienced professionals and academics, with many holding advanced degrees and contributing to research in their fields. The faculty at Liberty also integrate a Christian worldview into their teaching.
What is the student body like at Purdue University Global and Liberty University?

Purdue University Global primarily serves working adults seeking to advance their careers or change fields. The student body is diverse in terms of age, experience, and geographic location. Liberty University has a more traditional mix of students, including both younger students and adult learners, with a significant portion identifying as evangelical Christians. Liberty also has a large international student population.
What kind of accreditation do Purdue University Global and Liberty University have?

Both Purdue University Global and Liberty University are regionally accredited. Purdue University Global is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Regional accreditation is a widely recognized standard of quality in higher education.
How does the career support and resources compare between the two institutions?

Both universities offer career services to help students with job searching, resume writing, and interview skills. Purdue University Global focuses on providing career-relevant skills and resources tailored to its students' professional goals. Liberty University offers a comprehensive career center with resources for both online and residential students, including career counseling, job fairs, and internship opportunities.
What is the religious affiliation of Purdue University Global and Liberty University?

Purdue University Global is a public, non-sectarian institution and does not have a religious affiliation. Liberty University is a private, evangelical Christian university that integrates Christian principles into its curriculum and campus life.
Which university offers a more flexible learning environment?

Both universities offer flexible learning environments, particularly for online students. Purdue University Global is designed specifically for online learning, offering asynchronous courses that allow students to study at their own pace. Liberty University also provides flexible online programs with various start dates and course formats. The best choice depends on your individual learning preferences and scheduling needs.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.