Liberty University vs Wheaton College

Liberty University and Wheaton College, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Liberty, a private Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia, boasts an acceptance rate of 68%, while Wheaton, a private Christian liberal arts college in Wheaton, Illinois, maintains a more selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 49%. Liberty's diverse student body comprises over 100,000 students, representing a wide range of backgrounds and beliefs. In contrast, Wheaton's student population is smaller, with approximately 2,800 students, fostering a close-knit community. Both institutions excel in various academic disciplines, with Liberty offering popular majors in business, education, and nursing, and Wheaton excelling in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details and discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Liberty University	Wheaton College
Overview
Location	Lynchburg, Virginia	Wheaton, Illinois
Campus setting	City: Small	Suburb: Large
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%	89.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation	Evangelical	Undenominational

Admission
Acceptance rate	99.3%	86.3%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $30
SAT range	N/A	1250 - 1430
ACT range	N/A	27 - 32
Students submitting SAT score		32.0%
Students submitting ACT score		25.0%
Total number of applicants	28,448	1,993
Total number of admissions given out	28,244	1,719
Admitted students who chose to enroll	5,461	546
Yield rate	19.3%	31.8%
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	$54,700
Average net price	$27,891	$28,319
Tuition	$21,663	$40,570
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,150 Meal plan: $4,560	Room/dormitory: $6,640 Meal plan: $4,660
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	89.0% Average amount $12,431	91.0% Average amount $23,469
Students receiving federal student loan	52.0% Average amount $5,619	52.0% Average amount $5,169
Students taking out private loans	9.0% Average amount $17,351	5.0% Average amount $15,404

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	47,696 Men 43.0% Women 57.0%	2,341 Men 44.9% Women 55.1%
Graduate students	47,013 Men 38.7% Women 61.3%	706 Men 34.6% Women 65.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	76.0%	N/A
International students	0.7%	5.9%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	8,222	2,153
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	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Business Health Professions Psychology Theology	Psychology Theology Education Health Professions Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	11:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	62.1%	87.6%
Dropout rate	30.2%	3.1%
Transferred out	5.6%	9.1%
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/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $47,492 Year 2: $48,667 Year 3: $61,559 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,982 Year 2: $37,748 Year 3: $48,761 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $37,694 Year 2: $39,009 Year 3: $48,539 Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $30,613 Year 2: $33,459 Year 3: $41,661 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,251 Year 2: $37,856 Year 3: $41,339 Theological and Ministerial Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $38,767 Year 2: $39,049 Year 3: $38,775 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $35,864 Year 3: $36,928 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $26,471 Year 2: $27,126 Year 3: $34,682 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $24,825 Year 2: $20,140 Year 3: $32,867 Religious Education (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $25,194 Year 3: $31,289

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary religious affiliations of Liberty University and Wheaton College?

Liberty University is a Baptist university, while Wheaton College is an interdenominational evangelical Christian college. While both institutions share a strong Christian foundation, Wheaton's student body and faculty represent a broader range of evangelical denominations compared to Liberty's more specific Baptist affiliation.
How do the academic reputations of Liberty University and Wheaton College compare?

Wheaton College generally holds a higher academic reputation, particularly in the humanities and social sciences. It is known for its rigorous academics and strong faculty. Liberty University has significantly improved its academic standing in recent years and offers a wide range of programs, including many online, but its reputation is often associated with its large size and focus on practical application.
What is the typical student body like at Liberty University and Wheaton College?

Liberty University has a significantly larger and more diverse student body, including a large online student population. Wheaton College has a smaller, more selective student body with a strong emphasis on residential learning. Both schools attract students who are committed to their Christian faith, but Wheaton's student body tends to be more academically focused and from a wider range of backgrounds.
What are the campus environments like at Liberty University and Wheaton College?

Liberty University boasts a large, modern campus with extensive facilities, including a large sports complex. Wheaton College has a more traditional, close-knit campus environment with historic buildings and a strong sense of community. The campus size and atmosphere are quite different, with Liberty being much larger and Wheaton being more intimate.
How do the costs of attendance compare between Liberty University and Wheaton College?

Generally, Liberty University has a lower overall cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, and room and board, compared to Wheaton College. However, financial aid packages can vary significantly, so it's essential to compare the net cost after considering scholarships and grants for each institution.
What are the strengths of the academic programs at Liberty University?

Liberty University excels in programs like business, communications, and education, and offers a wide array of online programs. It is known for its practical approach to education and its focus on preparing students for specific careers. The university also has a strong emphasis on its Christian worldview in all its programs.
What are the strengths of the academic programs at Wheaton College?

Wheaton College is particularly strong in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. It is known for its rigorous curriculum, emphasis on critical thinking, and commitment to integrating faith and learning. Wheaton also has a strong reputation for its pre-med and pre-law programs.
How do the campus cultures differ between Liberty University and Wheaton College?

Liberty University has a more conservative campus culture with a strong emphasis on traditional values and a specific code of conduct. Wheaton College fosters a more diverse and intellectually stimulating environment, encouraging students to engage with a wide range of perspectives while maintaining a commitment to Christian faith. Both schools have a strong emphasis on community and spiritual development, but the approach differs.
What are the career services like at Liberty University and Wheaton College?

Both universities offer career services to assist students with job searching, resume writing, and interview preparation. Liberty University, due to its larger size and focus on career preparation, often has a more extensive career services department with a broader network of potential employers. Wheaton College's career services are also strong, with a focus on connecting students with opportunities in their respective fields and a strong alumni network.
Which college is better for someone seeking a strong online program?

Liberty University is the clear choice for students seeking a robust online program. It has a vast online program offering a wide variety of degrees and courses, catering to a diverse student population. While Wheaton College offers some online courses, its primary focus is on residential learning.

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