Liberty University vs Southeastern University

Liberty University and Southeastern University, both esteemed Christian institutions, offer unique educational experiences. Liberty, with an acceptance rate of 78%, boasts a diverse student body of over 100,000, while Southeastern, with a more selective acceptance rate of 58%, maintains a smaller, close-knit community of around 5,000 students. Liberty's extensive course offerings include popular majors like Business, Education, and Nursing, while Southeastern excels in programs such as Biblical Studies, Ministry, and Music. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Liberty's sitting at 62% and Southeastern's at 65%. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover more distinctions and determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Liberty University logo

Liberty University

Southeastern University logo

Southeastern University

Overview

Location Lynchburg, Virginia Lakeland, Florida
Campus setting City: Small City: Midsize
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% 70.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation Evangelical Protestant

Admission

Acceptance rate 99.3% 44.9%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $50
Undergraduate: $40

Graduate: $50
SAT range N/A 960 - 1183
ACT range N/A 19 - 25
Students submitting SAT score 4.0%
Students submitting ACT score 24.0%
Total number of applicants 28,448 4,940
Total number of admissions given out 28,244 2,219
Admitted students who chose to enroll 5,461 1,205
Yield rate 19.3% 54.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $42,620 $43,134
Average net price $27,891 $27,536
Tuition $21,663 $27,320
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $6,150

Meal plan: $4,560
Room/dormitory: $5,420

Meal plan: $5,394
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

89.0%
Average amount $12,431
95.0%
Average amount $13,633
Students receiving federal student loan 52.0%
Average amount $5,619
63.0%
Average amount $5,442
Students taking out private loans 9.0%
Average amount $17,351
5.0%
Average amount $12,989

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 47,696
Men 43.0% Women 57.0%
8,118
Men 41.9% Women 58.1%
Graduate students 47,013
Men 38.7% Women 61.3%
1,247
Men 37.9% Women 62.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Moderate
Out-of-state students 76.0% 52.5%
International students 0.7% 2.2%
Campus local/setting City: Small City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity 8,222 1,699
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Virginia North Carolina Pennsylvania Texas Florida Florida Ohio Alabama California Texas

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Education
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Psychology
  • Theology
  • Theology
  • Education
  • Business
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Communication and Journalism
Students to faculty ratio 17:1 26:1
Institutional accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 62.1% 51.4%
Dropout rate 30.2% 36.3%
Transferred out 5.6% 11.3%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
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
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,821
  • Year 2: $45,696
  • Year 3: $43,751
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,660
  • Year 2: $37,208
  • Year 3: $37,065
Theology and Religious Vocations, Other (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $29,900
  • Year 2: $36,490
  • Year 3: $36,937
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,742
  • Year 2: $30,119
  • Year 3: $33,900
Theology and Religious Vocations, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $27,245
  • Year 2: $32,925
  • Year 3: $32,188
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $22,456
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $40,485
  • Year 3: N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $57,715
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Human Services, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,386
  • Year 2: $39,009
  • Year 3: N/A
Human Services, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $37,208
  • Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions


  • What are the main differences in academic focus between Liberty University and Southeastern University?

    Liberty University offers a very wide range of programs, from aviation and engineering to law and medicine, alongside its strong focus on Christian ministry. Southeastern University, while also rooted in Christian values, primarily emphasizes ministry, theology, and related fields like education and business with a ministry focus. Liberty is a comprehensive university, while Southeastern is more specialized.

  • How do the campus environments compare at Liberty University and Southeastern University?

    Liberty University boasts a large, bustling campus with a wide array of student activities, NCAA Division I athletics, and a more traditional university feel. Southeastern University offers a smaller, more intimate campus environment with a strong emphasis on community and spiritual development. Liberty's campus is more diverse in terms of student interests, while Southeastern's is more focused on shared faith and ministry goals.

  • What is the difference in size and student population between Liberty University and Southeastern University?

    Liberty University is significantly larger than Southeastern University. Liberty has a very large student body, including a substantial online presence, while Southeastern maintains a smaller, more close-knit community. This difference in size impacts class sizes, available resources, and the overall student experience.

  • How do the costs of attending Liberty University and Southeastern University compare?

    Tuition costs can vary depending on the specific program and financial aid packages. Generally, Liberty University's tuition may be slightly higher, but they also offer a wider range of scholarships and financial aid opportunities. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition information and to explore available financial aid options.

  • What are the key differences in their denominational affiliations?

    Liberty University is non-denominational but maintains a strong evangelical Christian identity. Southeastern University is affiliated with the Assemblies of God denomination. This difference influences the theological perspectives taught and the specific ministry opportunities available to students.

  • What types of ministry opportunities are available at each university?

    Both universities offer extensive ministry opportunities. Liberty University provides a broad range of options, including local church involvement, global outreach programs, and campus ministries. Southeastern University focuses more specifically on Assemblies of God-related ministry, missions, and leadership development within that denominational context.

  • How do the athletic programs differ between Liberty University and Southeastern University?

    Liberty University has a comprehensive NCAA Division I athletic program with a wide variety of sports. Southeastern University competes in the NAIA and offers a smaller selection of athletic programs. If you're looking for a high-profile, Division I athletic experience, Liberty is the clear choice.

  • What are the similarities between Liberty University and Southeastern University?

    Both Liberty University and Southeastern University are committed to providing a Christ-centered education. They both emphasize spiritual development, ethical leadership, and preparing students for lives of service. They also both offer a variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities designed to help students grow intellectually, spiritually, and personally.

  • Which university is better for online learning?

    Liberty University is widely recognized for its extensive and well-established online programs, offering a vast array of degrees and certificates. While Southeastern University also offers online programs, Liberty's online presence is significantly larger and more comprehensive. If online learning is your primary focus, Liberty University is likely the better option.

  • How do the career services and alumni networks compare between the two universities?

    Liberty University, due to its larger size and broader range of programs, has a more extensive career services department and a larger alumni network. This can provide more diverse opportunities for internships, job placement, and networking. Southeastern University, while having a smaller network, offers a more personalized approach to career services, particularly within ministry-related fields.

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