Liberty University

File:Jerry Falwell evangelical and leader of the Moral Majority.jpg

The school was founded as Lynchburg Baptist College{{Cite news |last=Ambrosino |first=Brandon |date=October 27, 2016 |title=How Trump Is Dividing Jerry Falwell's University |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/10/trump-evangelical-falwell-liberty-university-christian-conservatives-214394 |url-status= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425032007/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/10/trump-evangelical-falwell-liberty-university-christian-conservatives-214394 |archive-date=April 25, 2018 |access-date=April 24, 2018 |work=Politico Magazine}} in 1971 by televangelist Jerry Falwell Sr. and Elmer L. Towns. Falwell, already a pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church, served as the first chancellor of the school. From 1979 to the late 1980s, Falwell Sr. also headed the Moral Majority, a right-wing political organization.{{Cite news |last=MacGillis |first=Alec |date=April 17, 2018 |title=How Liberty University Built a Billion-Dollar Empire Online |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/17/magazine/how-liberty-university-built-a-billion-dollar-empire-online.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422074026/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/17/magazine/how-liberty-university-built-a-billion-dollar-empire-online.html |archive-date=April 22, 2018 |access-date=September 15, 2018 |work=The New York Times Magazine}}

The school changed its name to Liberty Baptist College in 1976. Officials said the change aimed to distance the school from the name Lynchburg, which is often mistakenly associated with lynching; co-founder Towns also said that Falwell Sr., wanted to use the name "Liberty" to ride the enthusiasm for the Bicentennial of the United States.{{Cite news |date=July 10, 2020 |title=Falwell supports move to rename Lynchburg |url=https://www.nbc29.com/2020/07/10/falwell-supports-move-rename-lynchburg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720183954/https://www.nbc29.com/2020/07/10/falwell-supports-move-rename-lynchburg/ |archive-date=July 20, 2020 |access-date=July 20, 2020 |work=WVIR-TV}}

The name changed again in 1984, to Liberty University. In 1985, the university launched a distance-learning program by mailing VHS tapes to students;{{Cite news |last=Seltzer |first=Rick |date=31 October 2017 |title=Jerry Falwell Jr. relishes new fight for Donald Trump as Liberty University peaks |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/11/01/jerry-falwell-jr-relishes-new-fight-donald-trump-liberty-university-peaks |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424202820/https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/11/01/jerry-falwell-jr-relishes-new-fight-donald-trump-liberty-university-peaks |archive-date=April 24, 2018 |access-date=April 24, 2018 |work=Inside Higher Ed}} this was the forerunner to Liberty University's current online program.{{Cite web |last=Moody |first=Josh |date=May 12, 2017 |title=LU sees tremendous growth with 'second generation' at helm decade after Falwell Sr.'s death |url=https://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/lu-sees-tremendous-growth-with-second-generation-at-helm-decade/article_46a5bb28-377e-11e7-8f2f-6791fde2bbb3.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723131135/https://newsadvance.com/news/local/lu-sees-tremendous-growth-with-second-generation-at-helm-decade/article_46a5bb28-377e-11e7-8f2f-6791fde2bbb3.html |archive-date=July 23, 2020 |access-date=March 4, 2019 |website=NewsAdvance.com}} Two years later, Liberty University's 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status was formally recognized by the IRS.

In its early decades, the university was held afloat financially by major donors. The university was placed on probation multiple times in the 1990s by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools due to heavy debt loads. In 1990, the university's debt totaled $110 million; in 1996, it totaled $40{{nbsp}}million. In 1994, Sun Myung Moon's Women's Federation for World Peace funneled $3.5 million to Liberty University.{{Cite web |last=Parry |first=Robert |date=November 16, 1997 |title=The GOP's Own Asian Connection: Rev. Moon |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-16-op-54375-story.html |access-date=September 8, 2021 |website=Los Angeles Times}}

In 2004, Liberty University named its School of Government for Jesse Helms, a former U.S. senator from North Carolina and a Falwell family friend.{{Cite web |last=Claybaugh |first=Michael |date=July 7, 2008 |title=Sen. Jesse Helms, friend of Liberty University, dies at 86 |url=https://www.liberty.edu/news/2008/07/07/sen-jesse-helms-friend-of-liberty-university-dies-at-86/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906031244/https://www.liberty.edu/news/2008/07/07/sen-jesse-helms-friend-of-liberty-university-dies-at-86/ |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=July 18, 2022 |website=liberty.edu |publisher=Liberty University}}

In 2005, Barron's Profiles of American Colleges ranked undergraduate admission to LU as "competitive", its fourth-highest of six ranks.{{Cite book |title=Barron's Profiles of American Colleges |publisher=Barron's |year=2005 |edition=26th}}{{Cite web |date=January 15, 2010 |title=What do you mean by a "competitive" college? |url=http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/Main-Menu/Staffingstudents/Chasing-the-college-acceptance-letter-Is-it-harder-to-get-into-college-At-a-glance/What-do-you-mean-by-a-competitive-college.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110912022724/http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/Main-Menu/Staffingstudents/Chasing-the-college-acceptance-letter-Is-it-harder-to-get-into-college-At-a-glance/What-do-you-mean-by-a-competitive-college.html |archive-date=September 12, 2011 |access-date=September 11, 2011 |publisher=Center for Public Education}} When high-speed Internet connections became more widespread around 2005, Liberty began to offer online courses to a larger adult population.

After Falwell Sr. died in 2007, his son Jerry Falwell Jr. became the university's second chancellor and fourth president. At the time, the university listed $259 million in assets.{{Cite web |last=Stevens |first=Ashlie |date=November 7, 2020 |title=How Trump and Falwell Jr. became evangelicals' "golden calves" despite obvious moral transgressions |url=https://www.salon.com/2020/11/07/trump-jerry-falwell-christian-voters-evangelical-golden-calf/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212224638/https://www.salon.com/2020/11/07/trump-jerry-falwell-christian-voters-evangelical-golden-calf/ |archive-date=December 12, 2020 |access-date=November 10, 2020 |website=Salon}}

Liberty University Online Academy was formed in 2007, serving 23 students.

In 2009, Liberty University withdrew official recognition of the student Young Democrats club, saying that the club's political positions, including support of abortion rights, conflicted with the school's. The school's College Republicans club remains officially recognized.{{Cite web |last=Lederman |first=Doug |date=May 26, 2009 |title=One-Party State at Liberty U. |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2009/05/26/one-party-state-liberty-u |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712032113/https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2009/05/26/one-party-state-liberty-u |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |access-date=July 12, 2022 |website=Inside Higher Education}}

In 2010, Liberty students received about $445 million in federal financial aid money, the highest total of any school in Virginia and one of the highest in the country.{{Cite news |last=Barry |first=Liz |date=March 27, 2011 |title=Liberty tops state in federal aid for its students |url=http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2011/mar/27/liberty-tops-state-federal-aid-its-students-ar-929147/?referer=None&shorturl=http://newsadvance.com/ar/929147/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110814054227/http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2011/mar/27/liberty-tops-state-federal-aid-its-students-ar-929147/?referer=None&shorturl=http://newsadvance.com/ar/929147/ |archive-date=August 14, 2011 |access-date=March 28, 2011 |work=The News & Advance |location=Lynchburg, Virginia}}{{Cite web |title=Fall Headcount Enrollment |url=http://research.schev.edu/enrollment/E2_Report.ASP |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722235554/http://research.schev.edu/enrollment/E2_Report.asp |archive-date=July 22, 2012 |access-date=July 23, 2012 |website=State Council of Higher Education for Virginia}} A 56 percent increase over the previous year, the money was mostly in the form of student loans, but also included some grants and other forms of aid.

In 2011, Liberty blocked campus internet access to the website of a local newspaper, the News & Advance, after it reported that the university received more federal financial aid than any other school in Virginia.{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Jenna |date=April 13, 2011 |title=Falwell's Liberty University blocks campus access to newspaper Web site |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/campus-overload/post/falwells-liberty-university-blocks-newspaper-web-site/2011/04/13/AFLYNJXD_blog.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424202926/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/campus-overload/post/falwells-liberty-university-blocks-newspaper-web-site/2011/04/13/AFLYNJXD_blog.html |archive-date=April 24, 2018 |access-date=April 24, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} Falwell Jr. refused to say why the block was imposed, said it was unrelated to anything published in the newspaper, and said that the News & Advance had been blocked on campus before. The block was lifted one day after the financial-aid article was published.{{Cite web |last=Mytelka |first=Andrew |date=April 12, 2011 |title=Liberty U. Is Said to Block Campus Access to Local Newspaper's Web Site – The Ticker |url=https://www.chronicle.com/blogs/ticker/liberty-u-is-said-to-block-campus-access-to-local-newspapers-web-site/32043 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424202544/https://www.chronicle.com/blogs/ticker/liberty-u-is-said-to-block-campus-access-to-local-newspapers-web-site/32043 |archive-date=April 24, 2018 |access-date=April 24, 2018 |website=The Chronicle of Higher Education |department=Blogs}}{{Cite news |last=Barry |first=Liz |date=April 12, 2011 |title=Newspaper website blocked briefly from LU's servers |url=http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2011/apr/12/newspaper-website-blocked-briefly-lus-servers-ar-966049/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20110417233956/http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2011/apr/12/newspaper-website-blocked-briefly-lus-servers-ar-966049/ |archive-date=April 17, 2011 |work=The News & Advance}}

{{As of|2017}}, the university's endowment stood at more than $1{{nbsp}}billion and gross assets exceeded $2{{nbsp}}billion.{{Cite news |last=Moody |first=Josh |date=March 18, 2017 |title=Report: Finances healthy at area colleges; Liberty, Randolph show perfect scores in fed study |newspaper=Newsadvance.com |url=http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/report-finances-healthy-at-area-colleges-liberty-randolph-show-perfect/article_4f592c8f-488a-537a-8e8d-92dbe1552fce.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319025407/http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/report-finances-healthy-at-area-colleges-liberty-randolph-show-perfect/article_4f592c8f-488a-537a-8e8d-92dbe1552fce.html |archive-date=March 19, 2017 |access-date=October 14, 2017}}

In November 2020, Liberty University graduate and athletics booster Bob Good won a seat in the US House of Representatives, making him the first Liberty graduate to be in the House.{{Cite news |last=Flynn |first=Meagan |title=From quiet Falwell acolyte to bombastic Marjorie Taylor Greene ally: A freshman lawmaker's political evolution |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/12/10/bob-good-liberty-university/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813165251/https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/12/10/bob-good-liberty-university/ |archive-date=August 13, 2022 |access-date=July 27, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

On March 31, 2023, Dondi Costin was named president of Liberty University.{{cite web |last=Goins-Phillips |first=Tré |date=March 31, 2023 |title='I Am Beyond Grateful': Liberty University Names New President, Chancellor in Wake of Jerry Falwell Scandal |url=https://www2.cbn.com/news/us/i-am-beyond-grateful-liberty-university-names-new-president-chancellor-wake-jerry-falwell |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240616025756/https://www2.cbn.com/news/us/i-am-beyond-grateful-liberty-university-names-new-president-chancellor-wake-jerry-falwell |archive-date=16 June 2024 |access-date=3 February 2025 |website=Christian Broadcasting Network}}

Liberty University is a member of the advisory board of Project 2025,{{Cite web |title=Advisory Board |url=https://www.project2025.org/about/advisory-board/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119034220/https://www.project2025.org/about/advisory-board/ |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |access-date=July 8, 2024 |website=Project 2025 |date=February 2, 2023 |publisher=The Heritage Foundation}} a collection of conservative and right-wing policy proposals from the Heritage Foundation to reshape the United States federal government and consolidate executive power should the Republican nominee win the 2024 presidential election.{{Cite news |last=Mascaro |first=Lisa |date=August 29, 2023 |title=Conservative Groups Draw Up Plan to Dismantle the US Government and Replace It with Trump's Vision |url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-conservatives-trump-heritage-857eb794e505f1c6710eb03fd5b58981 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922112031/https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-conservatives-trump-heritage-857eb794e505f1c6710eb03fd5b58981 |archive-date=September 22, 2023 |access-date=July 8, 2024 |work=Associated Press News}}

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The 17-story, 245-foot Freedom Tower, completed in February 2018, is the tallest building in Lynchburg. The tower holds a 25-bell carillon that includes a replica of the Liberty Bell.{{Cite news |last1=Tyree |first1=Elizabeth |last2=Hoffman |first2=Chris |date=February 5, 2018 |title=Tallest building in Lynchburg, Liberty's Freedom Tower, open to the public |url=https://wset.com/news/local/tallest-building-in-lynchburg-libertys-freedom-tower-open-to-the-public |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327091711/https://wset.com/news/local/tallest-building-in-lynchburg-libertys-freedom-tower-open-to-the-public |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |access-date=March 8, 2019 |work=ABC 13 News}}

The Hancock Welcome Center celebrated its ribbon cutting ceremony on December 7, 2012. It is a three-level, 33,000-square-foot Jeffersonian-style building featuring an atrium, boardroom, theater, lounges, a banquet hall, several smaller counseling rooms, and a patio with a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2012 |title=Liberty celebrates new Hancock Welcome Center with full day of festivities |url=https://www.liberty.edu/news/2012/12/14/liberty-celebrates-new-hancock-welcome-center-with-full-day-of-festivities/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712233553/https://www.liberty.edu/news/2012/12/14/liberty-celebrates-new-hancock-welcome-center-with-full-day-of-festivities/ |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |access-date=July 12, 2022 |website=liberty.edu |publisher=Liberty University}} The Jerry Falwell Sr. Center: Inspiring Champions for Christ, opening in 2023, will be attached to the Hancock Welcome Center.{{Cite web |last=Hazard |first=Charlotte |date=November 8, 2021 |title=Liberty Plans To Build Onto the Hancock Welcome Center to Honor the Life of Jerry Falwell Sr. |url=https://www.liberty.edu/champion/2021/11/liberty-plans-to-build-onto-the-hancock-welcome-center-to-honor-the-life-of-jerry-falwell-sr/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906031649/https://www.liberty.edu/champion/2021/11/liberty-plans-to-build-onto-the-hancock-welcome-center-to-honor-the-life-of-jerry-falwell-sr/ |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=July 12, 2022 |website=liberty.edu/champion |publisher=Liberty Champion}}{{Cite web |last=McIntosh |first=Brenna |date=October 9, 2021 |title=Liberty University honors founder, Jerry Falwell Sr., with addition of new center |url=https://wset.com/news/local/liberty-university-honors-founder-jerry-falwell-sr-with-addition-of-new-center |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128185816/https://wset.com/news/local/liberty-university-honors-founder-jerry-falwell-sr-with-addition-of-new-center |archive-date=January 28, 2022 |access-date=June 15, 2022 |website=wset.com |publisher=WSET}}

Liberty University's Center for Music & Worship hosts the Miss Virginia beauty competition which sends the winner of the state to represent it in the Miss America Pageant.{{Cite web |last=Chumney |first=Richard |date=June 23, 2018 |title=Miss Virginia crowned at Liberty University |url=https://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/miss-virginia-crowned-at-liberty-university/article_a02ee164-7757-11e8-8e6f-eb18db3508d7.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624053850/https://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/miss-virginia-crowned-at-liberty-university/article_a02ee164-7757-11e8-8e6f-eb18db3508d7.html |archive-date=June 24, 2018 |access-date=January 11, 2019 |website=NewsAdvance.com}}{{Cite web |last1=Hoffman |first1=Chris |last2=Doss |first2=Catherine |date=August 24, 2017 |title=Miss Virginia competition officially makes the move to Liberty University |url=http://wset.com/news/local/miss-virginia-competition-officially-makes-the-move-to-liberty-university |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004021522/https://wset.com/news/local/miss-virginia-competition-officially-makes-the-move-to-liberty-university |archive-date=October 4, 2018 |access-date=January 11, 2019 |publisher=WSET}}

Construction was completed in August 2009 on the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, a synthetic ski slope featuring Snowflex; the centre was designed by England's Briton Engineering. The first of its kind in the United States, it includes beginner, intermediate, and advanced slopes.{{Cite news |last=Krystal |first=Becky |date=November 29, 2009 |title=In Lynchburg, a skiing adventure, minus the snow |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/27/AR2009112701856.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204124111/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/27/AR2009112701856.html |archive-date=December 4, 2010 |access-date=November 10, 2010 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

The Observatory Center opened in spring 2013 next to the Equestrian Center. The dome has a classroom that can fit up to 20 people. It houses a {{convert|20|in|adj=on}} RC Optical Systems Truss Ritchey-Chrétien and several Celestron CPC 800 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes on pedestals, able to roll out under a roof. The observatory serves three purposes: instruction, public nights and research. Student Activities controls the use of the observatory and is open to all students.{{Cite web |date=September 11, 2012 |title=Liberty to launch new observatory center |url=https://www.liberty.edu/champion/2012/09/liberty-to-launch-new-observatory-center/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007091631/http://www.liberty.edu/champion/2012/09/liberty-to-launch-new-observatory-center/ |archive-date=October 7, 2018 |access-date=April 1, 2020 |publisher=The Liberty Champion}}

In 2018, Liberty University opened a $3.2 million on-campus shooting range to train students to protect themselves against shooters and terrorists.{{Cite news |title=Va. university to open on-campus shooting range |url=https://www.policeone.com/police-products/firearms/training/articles/252199006-Va-university-to-open-on-campus-shooting-range/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229105937/https://www.policeone.com/police-products/firearms/training/articles/252199006-Va-university-to-open-on-campus-shooting-range/ |archive-date=December 29, 2016 |access-date=December 28, 2016 |work=PoliceOne}}

The four-story, 170,000-square-foot Jerry Falwell Library opened in January 2014{{Cite web |last=Amy Trent |date=January 16, 2014 |title=Falwell Library opens to the public – News – Lynchburg, Virginia Area |url=http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/falwell-library-opens-to-the-public/article_20ba4aa0-7e6d-11e3-84e9-0019bb30f31a.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317224620/http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/falwell-library-opens-to-the-public/article_20ba4aa0-7e6d-11e3-84e9-0019bb30f31a.html |archive-date=March 17, 2017 |access-date=April 16, 2015 |publisher=NewsAdvance.com}} with more than 250,000 items and room for another 170,000. They are accessible via a robot-assisted storage and retrieval system, which locates requested items within a large storage room and delivers them to the front desk. There are 150 public computers throughout the building for electronic archive research. The library has group study rooms, writable walls, balconies, terraces, and a vegetative roof. At its entrance stands a 24-foot media wall, powered by three Microsoft Kinect units and integrated using a custom program that allows visitors to scroll through university news, browse pictures contributed from students, and learn about upcoming university events.{{Cite web |title=Media wall helps increase engagement at Liberty University library; OnWindows |url=http://www.onwindows.com/Article/media-wall-helps-increase-engagement-at-liberty-university-library-40778/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808051026/http://www.onwindows.com/Article/media-wall-helps-increase-engagement-at-liberty-university-library-40778 |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |access-date=July 28, 2014 |publisher=onwindows.com}}

The $50 million library is part of a larger $500 million building and expansion plan announced by Liberty University.{{Cite web |date=January 16, 2014 |title=Falwell library opens to the public; The News & Advance |url=http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/falwell-library-opens-to-the-public/article_20ba4aa0-7e6d-11e3-84e9-0019bb30f31a.html/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317224620/http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/falwell-library-opens-to-the-public/article_20ba4aa0-7e6d-11e3-84e9-0019bb30f31a.html |archive-date=March 17, 2017 |access-date=April 10, 2014 |publisher=.newadvance.com}}{{Cite web |title=Liberty University dedicates Jerry Falwell Library; wdbj7 |url=http://www.wdbj7.com/news/local/liberty-university-dedicates-jerry-falwell-library/23948576 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413150100/http://www.wdbj7.com/news/local/liberty-university-dedicates-jerry-falwell-library/23948576 |archive-date=April 13, 2014 |access-date=April 10, 2014 |publisher=..wdbj7.com}}

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The National Civil War Chaplains Museum contains exhibits about clergy members and religious activity during the Civil War era. It is the only museum in the nation devoted to this purpose. The mission of the museum is to "educate the public about the role of chaplains, priests, and rabbis and religious organizations in the Civil War; to promote the continuing study of the many methods of dissemination of religious doctrine and moral teachings during the War; to preserve religious artifacts, and to present interpretive programs that show the influence of religion on the lives of political and military personnel."{{Cite web |title=We'll Be Back! |url=http://www.chaplainsmuseum.org/i/?page_id=166 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425081814/http://www.chaplainsmuseum.org/i/?page_id=166 |archive-date=April 25, 2012 |access-date=June 8, 2012 |publisher=Chaplainsmuseum.org}} A 501(c)(3) organization, the museum exists within the Jerry Falwell Library.{{Cite web |title=Liberty University Chaplin Museum Location |url=https://chaplainsmuseum.org/#!/location |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209092759/https://chaplainsmuseum.org/#!/location |archive-date=December 9, 2023 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |website=Liberty University Chaplin Museum}}

The museum commemorates Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish chaplains (including African-American chaplains), and houses publications and artifacts from both the Union and Confederate militaries. There are several areas in the museum that are given special attention including:

• The role of the United States Christian Commission, which is the forerunner to today's USO and Red Cross.{{Cite web |title=Local Attractions, National Civil War Chaplains Museum |url=http://www.discoverlynchburg.org/220_attractions_national-civil-war-chaplains-museum |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427160324/http://www.discoverlynchburg.org/220_attractions_national-civil-war-chaplains-museum |archive-date=April 27, 2012 |access-date=June 8, 2012 |publisher=Discover Lynchburg}}
• "The relationship of religion to political and military leaders, common soldiers, and the public in the North and South."{{Cite web |title=New Museum Will Honor Civil War Chaplains |url=http://www.civilwarnews.com/archive/articles/Chaplains.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923204433/http://www.civilwarnews.com/archive/articles/Chaplains.htm |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |access-date=June 8, 2012 |publisher=Civilwarnews.com}}

The Carter Glass Mansion, also called Montview, is a house built in 1923 for Carter Glass, a newspaper publisher, U.S. senator,Damon W. Root, [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/When+bigots+become+reformers:+the+Progressive+Era's+shameful+record+...-a0144351998 When bigots become reformers: the Progressive Era's shameful record on race] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723143032/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/When+bigots+become+reformers%3A+the+Progressive+Era%27s+shameful+record+...-a0144351998 |date=July 23, 2020 }}, May 2006. U.S. treasury secretary under President Woodrow Wilson, and Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and President Pro Tempore of the Senate during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt.{{Cite web |title=National Register of Historic Place : Inventory – Nomination Form |url=http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Cities/Lynchburg/118-0210_Montview_1987_Final_Nomination.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923230134/http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Cities/Lynchburg/118-0210_Montview_1987_Final_Nomination.pdf |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |access-date=April 16, 2015 |publisher=Dhr.virginia.gov}} The {{frac|1|1|2}}-story house, which is flanked by slightly smaller ells, has {{convert|18|in|cm|adj=on}} walls of quartz fieldstone quarried from the property and a grey gambrel roof. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and Virginia Landmarks Register.

The {{convert|1.7|acre|ha|adj=on}} estate was purchased by Liberty University in the late 1970s to be the headquarters of the university administration. It housed the main office of university founder Jerry Falwell, who died at his desk on May 15, 2007. Falwell and his wife were buried on the rear lawn of the mansion and a memorial to Falwell was placed there, overlooking the rest of the campus. The estate is now largely a tourist site, with Falwell's office preserved in its 2007 condition and the upstairs section of the mansion converted to a bed and breakfast for Liberty University guests.{{Cite web |date=May 15, 2008 |title=Falwell's family preserving his office at Carter Glass mansion |url=https://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/falwell-s-family-preserving-his-office-at-carter-glass-mansion/article_edab1a9f-100d-584d-8a8c-5f397131de5f.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723142952/https://newsadvance.com/news/local/falwell-s-family-preserving-his-office-at-carter-glass-mansion/article_edab1a9f-100d-584d-8a8c-5f397131de5f.html |archive-date=July 23, 2020 |access-date=April 1, 2020 |publisher=News & Advance}}

File:Liberty University School of Divinity (crop).jpgAccording to its literature, the Center for Creation Studies aims to study the origin of the universe, the earth, life, and diversification of species, equipping students to contend for their faith in the creation account in Genesis using science, reason, and the Scriptures.{{Cite web |title=Creation Studies |url=https://www.liberty.edu/arts-sciences/creation-studies/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307215458/https://www.liberty.edu/arts-sciences/creation-studies/ |archive-date=March 7, 2022 |access-date=August 5, 2022 |website=liberty.edu |publisher=Liberty University}} Young Earth creationism asserts that the Earth was created by supernatural acts by God 6,000 to 10,000 years ago rather than the scientific consensus that it accreted more than 4.5 billion years ago.{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Robert J. |title=VIII: YOUNG EARTH CREATIONISM |url=https://community.berea.edu/scienceandfaith/essay08.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805184305/https://community.berea.edu/scienceandfaith/essay08.asp |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |access-date=August 5, 2022 |website=community.berea.edu |publisher=Berea College}}

David A. DeWittis is the director of the Center for Creation Studies.{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Nick |title=For many at Liberty University, guns and God go hand in hand |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/for-many-at-liberty-university-guns-and-god-go-hand-in-hand/2015/12/14/3251bfb2-9fc9-11e5-a3c5-c77f2cc5a43c_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211055516/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/for-many-at-liberty-university-guns-and-god-go-hand-in-hand/2015/12/14/3251bfb2-9fc9-11e5-a3c5-c77f2cc5a43c_story.html |archive-date=December 11, 2022 |access-date=June 11, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

Creation Hall, on the second floor of the Center for Natural Sciences, is "dedicated to promoting young-Earth creation". Displays include replicas claimed to be of post-Flood humans and fossils allegedly buried during Noah's flood.{{Cite web |title=Creation Studies Display |url=https://www.liberty.edu/arts-sciences/creation-studies/display/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906031745/https://www.liberty.edu/arts-sciences/creation-studies/display/ |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=August 5, 2022 |website=liberty.edu |publisher=Liberty University}}

Williams Stadium is the home field for the Liberty Flames football team. Opened in 1989, the stadium seats 25,000 spectators.{{Cite web |title=Athletics Facilities – Williams Stadium |url=https://www.liberty.edu/flames/athletics-facilities/williams-stadium/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906031651/https://libertyflames.com/sports/2017/8/20/williams-stadium?sidearmRedirect=true |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=July 12, 2022 |website=Liberty Flames |publisher=Liberty University}} An indoor practice facility was opened in 2017 at a cost of $29 million.{{Cite web |title=ATHLETICS FACILITIES – INDOOR FOOTBALL PRACTICE FACILITY |url=https://www.liberty.edu/flames/athletics-facilities/indoor-football-practice-facility/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712234504/https://www.liberty.edu/flames/athletics-facilities/indoor-football-practice-facility/ |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |access-date=July 12, 2022 |website=liberty.edu |publisher=Liberty University}}

The Liberty Arena is the home of the men's and women's basketball teams and women's volleyball. The $65 million, 125,000-square-foot space, which opened in 2020, seats 4,000 spectators.{{Cite web |title=ATHLETICS FACILITIES – LIBERTY ARENA |url=https://www.liberty.edu/flames/athletics-facilities/liberty-arena/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712235137/https://www.liberty.edu/flames/athletics-facilities/liberty-arena/ |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |access-date=July 12, 2022 |website=liberty.edu |publisher=Liberty University}}

Liberty Natatorium is 75,000 square feet and contains a 9-lane Olympic-size swimming pool as well as a diving well 17 feet deep and fitted with 1-meter and 3-meter springboards and 10-meter, 7.5-meter, 5-meter, 3-meter, and 1-meter diving platforms.Pruden, Cathleen (May 9, 2016). [https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/liberty-university-building-50-meter-pool-with-full-diving-tower-separate-diving-well/ "Liberty University Building 50 Meter Pool with Full Diving Tower, Separate Diving Well"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722192712/https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/liberty-university-building-50-meter-pool-with-full-diving-tower-separate-diving-well/ |date=July 22, 2021 }}. Swimming World. Retrieved July 22, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Keith |first=Braden |date=June 28, 2020 |title=Diving Platform at Liberty University Collapses; No Injuries Reported |url=https://swimswam.com/diving-platform-at-liberty-university-collapses-no-injuries-reported/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722192711/https://swimswam.com/diving-platform-at-liberty-university-collapses-no-injuries-reported/ |archive-date=July 22, 2021 |access-date=December 3, 2023 |website=SwimSwam}} The inaugural competitive swimming event held in the swimming pool was the 2018 TYR Junior National Cup in March 2018.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jared |date=March 22, 2018 |title=Michael Andrew Swims to No. 2 17-18 100 Breast All-Time with 51.18 |url=https://swimswam.com/michael-andrew-shaves-100-breast-nag-down-to-50-79-in-finals/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721205809/https://swimswam.com/michael-andrew-shaves-100-breast-nag-down-to-50-79-in-finals/ |archive-date=July 21, 2021 |access-date=December 3, 2023 |website=SwimSwam}} In 2020, one of the diving platforms collapsed for an unknown reason. Problems with the Daktronics race-timing system led the school to replace it after just three years.

The Liberty Mountain area consists of the Hydaway Outdoor Center and its 31-acre lake, the Liberty University Equestrian Center, Liberty Mountain Gun Club, Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, Astronomical Observatory and the Liberty Mountain Trail System.{{Cite web |last=Boyer |first=Gary |date=June 14, 2021 |title=LU clears land for Liberty Mountain lake expansion |url=https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/local-news/lynchburg-central-virginia-news/lu-clears-land-for-liberty-mountain-lake-expansion/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901121220/https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/local-news/lynchburg-central-virginia-news/lu-clears-land-for-liberty-mountain-lake-expansion/ |archive-date=September 1, 2022 |access-date=September 1, 2022 |website=wfxrtv.com |publisher=WFXTR}}

Liberty University has 735 full-time instructors and 3,075 part-time instructors for more than 96,000 students. The university is governed by a 30-member board of trustees that includes Jonathan Falwell, the son and brother (respectively) of the two former university presidents.{{Cite web |title=Board of Trustees |url=http://www.liberty.edu/trustees/index.cfm?PID=5313 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119060220/http://www.liberty.edu/trustees/index.cfm?PID=5313 |archive-date=January 19, 2019 |access-date=September 28, 2019}}{{Cite web |title=Board of Trustees {{!}} Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/trustees/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119060220/http://www.liberty.edu/trustees/index.cfm?PID=5313 |archive-date=January 19, 2019 |access-date=November 10, 2020 |website=Board of Trustees}} Unlike most other research universities, faculty (outside the law school) are not offered tenure, giving them less influence in governing the university than is common. Most teachers are adjunct labor. Faculty must inform school officials before they speak with the media.{{Cite web |last=Ambrosino |first=Brandon |date=September 9, 2019 |title='Someone's Gotta Tell the Freakin' Truth': Jerry Falwell's Aides Break Their Silence |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/09/09/jerry-falwell-liberty-university-loans-227914/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806153721/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/09/09/jerry-falwell-liberty-university-loans-227914/ |archive-date=August 6, 2022 |access-date=August 6, 2022 |website=politico.com |publisher=Politico}}

Dondi E. Costin is the university's president, assuming the position July 1, 2023, and taking over from now President Emeritus Jerry Prevo.

{{As of|2017|August}}, Liberty University offered over 550 total programs, 366 on campus and 289 online. There are 144 graduate programs and four doctoral programs offered on campus.{{Cite web |title=About Liberty |url=https://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=6925 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914125003/https://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=6925 |archive-date=September 14, 2017 |access-date=September 13, 2017}} It is classified among "Doctoral/Professional Universities"{{Cite web |title=Carnegie Classifications {{!}} Institution Lookup |url=http://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=232557 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913002348/http://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=232557 |archive-date=September 13, 2018 |access-date=May 25, 2016 |website=Carnegieclassifications.iu.edu}} and is recognized by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.{{Cite web |date=August 19, 2018 |title=Federal agencies name Liberty University a Center of Academic Excellence in cyber education |url=https://augustafreepress.com/federal-agencies-name-liberty-university-a-center-of-academic-excellence-in-cyber-education/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820105616/https://augustafreepress.com/federal-agencies-name-liberty-university-a-center-of-academic-excellence-in-cyber-education/ |archive-date=August 20, 2018 |access-date=January 11, 2019}}

In 2017, Forbes{{'}}s list of America's Top Colleges ranked Liberty University No. 585 of 650 "Top Colleges", No. 231 as a "Research University", 371 as a "Private College", and 136 "in the South". Forbes also gave Liberty a "Forbes Financial Grade" of B+.{{Cite news |date=September 21, 2017 |title=Liberty University |url=https://www.forbes.com/colleges/liberty-university/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730005458/https://www.forbes.com/colleges/liberty-university/ |archive-date=July 30, 2017 |access-date=September 21, 2017 |work=Forbes}}

The Liberty University College of Arts and Sciences includes eight departments and offers PhD, master's, bachelor's, and associate degrees.{{Cite web |title=College of Arts and Sciences – Liberty University |url=http://www.liberty.edu/academics/arts-sciences/index.cfm?PID=139 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123624/http://www.liberty.edu/academics/arts-sciences/index.cfm?PID=139 |archive-date=December 9, 2018 |access-date=January 11, 2019 |website=Liberty.edu}} The college teaches Young Earth creationism, a pseudoscience, in its "creationist studies" classes.{{Cite web |last=Desrets |first=Christa |date=February 14, 2009 |title=Liberty University disputing evolution |url=http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/article_6ac02b19-bedc-5184-8097-32c25dc66aa5.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317220138/http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/article_6ac02b19-bedc-5184-8097-32c25dc66aa5.html |archive-date=March 17, 2017 |access-date=June 10, 2009 |publisher=The News & Advance}}

The Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM) opened in August 2014,{{Cite web |date=July 13, 2014 |title=Liberty University readies new medical school |url=http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/liberty-university-readies-new-medical-school/article_b3206b36-0a27-11e4-85c3-001a4bcf6878.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317234717/http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/liberty-university-readies-new-medical-school/article_b3206b36-0a27-11e4-85c3-001a4bcf6878.html |archive-date=March 17, 2017 |access-date=July 13, 2014 |publisher=Lynchburg News and Advance}} funded in part by a $12 million matching grant from the Virginia Tobacco Commission.{{Cite web |last=Bruyn |first=Sarah |date=September 16, 2011 |title=Liberty University's medical school recommended for $12 million grant |url=http://www.roanoke.com/business/wb/298456 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110171053/http://www.roanoke.com/business/wb/298456 |archive-date=November 10, 2011 |access-date=June 8, 2012 |publisher=Roanoke.com}}

In July 2015, the college of osteopathic medicine opened Liberty Mountain Medical Group LLC, a primary care clinic serving the greater Lynchburg area.{{Cite web |date=May 22, 2015 |title=Liberty Mountain Medical will open June 29 |url=http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/liberty-mountain-medical-will-open-june/article_b70d61ae-00f3-11e5-bd5e-bb0643d109e8.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317220750/http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/liberty-mountain-medical-will-open-june/article_b70d61ae-00f3-11e5-bd5e-bb0643d109e8.html |archive-date=March 17, 2017 |access-date=May 22, 2015 |publisher=Lynchburg News and Advance}}{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2015 |title=The doctor will see you now at a new Lynchburg medical partnership |url=http://www.newsadvance.com/work_it_lynchburg/news/the-doctor-will-see-you-now-at-a-new-lynchburg/article_80af152a-2ad9-11e5-b5d9-076a5ed1b6f4.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317222622/http://www.newsadvance.com/work_it_lynchburg/news/the-doctor-will-see-you-now-at-a-new-lynchburg/article_80af152a-2ad9-11e5-b5d9-076a5ed1b6f4.html |archive-date=March 17, 2017 |access-date=July 14, 2015 |publisher=Lynchburg News and Advance}}{{Cite web |date=June 15, 2015 |title=LUCOM partners with local family physicians to open community care clinic |url=http://wsls.com/2015/06/15/lucom-partners-with-local-family-physicians-to-open-community-care-clinic/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019073029/http://wsls.com/2015/06/15/lucom-partners-with-local-family-physicians-to-open-community-care-clinic/ |archive-date=October 19, 2015 |access-date=June 15, 2015 |publisher=WSLS.com}}

The college received initial accreditation from the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (AOA-COCA) in 2018.{{Cite web |last=Moody |first=Josh |date=May 11, 2018 |title=LU College of Osteopathic Medicine gets initial accreditation |url=https://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/lu-college-of-osteopathic-medicine-gets-initial-accreditation/article_6bd413ac-555c-11e8-a5b3-331f223bbdfd.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816130349/https://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/lu-college-of-osteopathic-medicine-gets-initial-accreditation/article_6bd413ac-555c-11e8-a5b3-331f223bbdfd.html |archive-date=August 16, 2019 |access-date=August 16, 2019 |website=NewsAdvance.com}} In that same year the medical school launched its first residency program, focused on neuromusculoskeletal treatment.{{Cite web |last=Moody |first=Josh |date=June 30, 2018 |title=LU College of Osteopathic Medicine launches first residency program |url=https://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/lu-college-of-osteopathic-medicine-launches-first-residency-program/article_7d416c4f-98a8-5a9a-a8ee-29cbbaa28ef0.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816130337/https://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/lu-college-of-osteopathic-medicine-launches-first-residency-program/article_7d416c4f-98a8-5a9a-a8ee-29cbbaa28ef0.html |archive-date=August 16, 2019 |access-date=August 16, 2019 |website=NewsAdvance.com}}

Liberty's Helms School of Government offers degrees in areas including criminal justice, government and public administration, international relations, pre-law, public policy, strategic intelligence, fire administration in both at both bachelor's and master's degree levels.{{Cite web |title=About Helms School of Government – Helms School of Government – Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=10659 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127064651/https://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=10659 |archive-date=November 27, 2018 |access-date=January 11, 2019 |website=Liberty.edu}}{{Cite web |title=Degree Programs | Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/academics/government/index.cfm?PID=19912 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043727/https://www.liberty.edu/academics/government/index.cfm?PID=19912 |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |access-date=March 4, 2019 |website=Liberty.edu}} The Helms School of Government is named after Senator Jesse Helms.{{Cite news |last1=BRAND |first1=MADELEINE |last2=FOLKENFLIK |first2=DAVID FOLKENFLIK |title=Remembering Sen. Jesse Helms |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92241277 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903180655/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92241277 |archive-date=September 3, 2021 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |publisher=NPR}}

The Liberty University Rawlings School of Divinity offers 44 bachelor's degrees, 44 master's degrees, and 14 doctoral degrees.{{Cite web |title=Divinity Degree Programs | Liberty University School of Divinity |url=http://www.liberty.edu/divinity/index.cfm?PID=15337 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117022014/http://www.liberty.edu/divinity/index.cfm?PID=15337 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |access-date=November 16, 2015 |website=Liberty.edu}} It was formed in 2015 as a merger of the School of Religion with Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.{{Cite web |title=Liberty holds dedication ceremony to mark launch of seminary |url=https://www.liberty.edu/news/2024/10/01/liberty-holds-dedication-ceremony-to-mark-launch-of-seminary/ |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Liberty News |language=en-US}} It Many programs are on-campus only, while others are available online.{{Cite web |date=February 4, 2014 |title=Degree Programs – Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and Graduate School |url=http://www.liberty.edu/divinity/index.cfm?PID=15337 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602024824/http://www.liberty.edu/divinity/index.cfm?PID=15337 |archive-date=June 2, 2015 |access-date=February 8, 2014 |publisher=Liberty University}} The school includes the Center for Apologetics & Cultural Engagement,{{Cite web |title=The Center for Apologetics & Cultural Engagement {{!}} ACE {{!}} Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/ace/ |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=ACE |language=en-US}} the Center for Church Advancement,{{Cite web |title=Center for Church Advancement {{!}} Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/cca/ |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Center for Church Advancement |language=en-US}} the Center for Youth Ministries,{{Cite web |title=Center for Youth Ministries {{!}} Rawlings School of Divinity {{!}} Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/divinity/center-for-youth-ministries/ |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=School of Divinity |language=en-US}} the Center for Chaplaincy,{{Cite web |title=Center for Chaplaincy {{!}} Theological Seminary {{!}} Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/divinity/seminary/center-for-chaplaincy/ |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Liberty Theological Seminary |language=en-US}} and the Rawlings Scriptorium Museum.{{Cite web |title=Rawlings Scriptorium Museum {{!}} Rawlings School of Divinity {{!}} Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/divinity/rawlings-scriptorium/ |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=School of Divinity |language=en-US}} The Rawlings School of Divinity is housed in Freedom Tower.{{Cite web |title=Feature – Freedom Tower – About Liberty |url=http://www.liberty.edu/aboutliberty/index.cfm?PID=39773 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127022448/http://www.liberty.edu/aboutliberty/index.cfm?PID=39773 |archive-date=November 27, 2018 |access-date=January 11, 2019 |website=Liberty.edu}}{{Cite web |last=Seidel |first=David |date=February 6, 2018 |title=Liberty University Changing The Skyline of Lynchburg |url=https://www.wvtf.org/post/liberty-university-changing-skyline-lynchburg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217135920/http://www.wvtf.org/post/liberty-university-changing-skyline-lynchburg |archive-date=December 17, 2018 |access-date=August 16, 2019 |website=Wvtf.org}}

Within the Rawlings School, Liberty Theological Seminary administers the graduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and certificate divinity programs. It is the nation's largest seminary by enrollment{{Cite web |last=Wingfield |first=Mark |date=October 24, 2022 |title=What's the largest seminary in America today? You might be surprised |url=https://baptistnews.com/article/whats-the-largest-seminary-in-america-today-you-might-be-surprised/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214164350/https://baptistnews.com/article/whats-the-largest-seminary-in-america-today-you-might-be-surprised/ |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |access-date=January 18, 2023 |website=Baptist News Global}} and is accredited by the ATS.{{Cite web |title=Find a School |url=https://www.ats.edu/member-schools/liberty-university-john-w-rawlings-school-of-divinity%7CRetrieved |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102133922/https://www.ats.edu/member-schools/liberty-university-john-w-rawlings-school-of-divinity%7CRetrieved |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |access-date=January 18, 2023 |website=ats.edu}} The seminary was relaunched in 2024.

File:Liberty University C-172.jpg

Liberty offers 11 bachelor's degrees in aeronautics from professional pilot to UAS.{{Cite web |title=Degree Programs – School of Aeronautics – Liberty University |url=http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=17356 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815023316/http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=17356 |archive-date=August 15, 2017 |access-date=August 14, 2017 |website=Liberty.edu}} In 2018, Liberty's School of Aeronautics had more than 1,200 students in-person and online.{{Cite web |title=About the School of Aeronautics – School of Aeronautics – Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=39700 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126221602/https://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=39700 |archive-date=November 26, 2018 |access-date=January 11, 2019 |website=Liberty.edu}} Liberty has worked with American Eagle, Piedmont Airlines, and Wayman Aviation to alleviate their pilot shortages.{{Cite web |date=May 31, 2013 |title=School of Aeronautics signs agreement with American Eagle – Liberty University |url=http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=93116 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814221718/http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=93116 |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |access-date=August 14, 2017 |website=Liberty.edu}}{{Cite web |title=Wayman Aviation partners with Liberty University to help meet Pi |url=http://www.wwnytv.com/story/34490266/wayman-aviation-partners-with-liberty-university-to-help-meet-pilot-shortage |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222111514/http://www.wwnytv.com/story/34490266/wayman-aviation-partners-with-liberty-university-to-help-meet-pilot-shortage |archive-date=February 22, 2017 |access-date=February 22, 2017}}{{Cite web |title=Piedmont Airlines partners with Liberty University's School of Aeronautics |url=http://piedmont-airlines.com/News/Latest-News1/Post/1575/Piedmont-Airlines-partners-with-Liberty-University-s-School-of-Aeronautics |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815023814/http://piedmont-airlines.com/News/Latest-News1/Post/1575/Piedmont-Airlines-partners-with-Liberty-University-s-School-of-Aeronautics |archive-date=August 15, 2017 |access-date=August 14, 2017}}

The School of Behavioral Sciences includes four departments: Community Care & Counseling, Counselor Education & Family Studies, Psychology, and Social Work.{{Cite web |title=School of Behavioral Sciences | Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724125158/https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/ |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |website=School of Behavioral Sciences}} It has an acceptance rate of 38%.{{Cite web |title=School of Behavioral Sciences – Liberty University – Graduate Programs and Degrees |url=https://petersons.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304184521/https://www.petersons.com/ |archive-date=March 4, 2020 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |website=petersons.com}} The Community Care & Counseling department offers 28 master's degrees{{Cite news |title=Master's Degrees | Community Care & Counseling | Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/community-care-counseling/masters/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724070804/https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/community-care-counseling/masters/ |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |website=School of Behavioral Sciences: Community Care and Counseling}} and four doctoral degrees.{{Cite web |title=Doctoral Degrees | Community Care & Counseling | Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/community-care-counseling/doctoral/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724070802/https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/community-care-counseling/doctoral/ |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |website=School of Behavioral Sciences: Community Care and Counseling}} The Counselor Education & Family Studies department offers five master's degrees{{Cite web |title=Master's Degrees | Counselor Education & Family Studies | Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/counselor-ed/masters/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724074555/https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/counselor-ed/masters/ |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |website=School of Behavioral Sciences: Counselor Education}} and one doctoral degree.{{Cite web |title=Doctoral Degrees | Counselor Education & Family Studies | Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/counselor-ed/doctoral/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906031649/https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/counselor-ed/doctoral/ |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |website=School of Behavioral Sciences: Counselor Education}} The Psychology department offers two associate degrees,{{Cite web |title=Bachelor's Degrees | Psychology | Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/psychology/bachelors/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412150015/https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/psychology/bachelors/ |archive-date=April 12, 2020 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |website=School of Behavioral Sciences: Psychology}} 14 bachelor's degrees, six master's degrees,{{Cite web |title=Master's Degrees | Psychology | Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/psychology/masters/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412132409/https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/psychology/masters/ |archive-date=April 12, 2020 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |website=School of Behavioral Sciences: Psychology}} and six doctoral degrees.{{Cite web |title=Doctoral Degrees | Psychology | Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/psychology/doctoral/ |access-date=April 7, 2020 |website=School of Behavioral Sciences: Psychology}} The Social Work department offers one bachelor's degree.{{Cite web |title=BS in Social Work | Social Work | Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/social-work/bachelors-bsw/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724070759/https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/social-work/bachelors-bsw/ |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |website=School of Behavioral Sciences: Social Work}} As of 2020, the dean was Kenyon C. Knapp.{{Cite web |title=Kenyon C. Knapp, PhD | School of Behavioral Sciences | Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/faculty/kenyon-knapp/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906031650/https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/faculty/kenyon-knapp/ |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |website=School of Behavioral Sciences}}{{Cite web |title=Faculty and Staff | School of Behavioral Sciences | Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/faculty/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724074654/https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/faculty/ |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |website=School of Behavioral Sciences}}

Liberty University's School of Business offers 46 bachelor's,{{Cite web |title=Bachelor's Degrees | School of Business | Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/business/bachelors/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306042949/https://www.liberty.edu/business/bachelors/ |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |access-date=March 5, 2019 |website=School of Business}} 67 master's,{{Cite web |title=Master's Degrees | School of Business | Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/business/masters/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044118/https://www.liberty.edu/business/masters/ |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |access-date=March 5, 2019 |website=School of Business}} and 14 doctoral degrees.{{Cite web |title=Doctoral Degrees | School of Business | Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/business/doctoral/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043709/https://www.liberty.edu/business/doctoral/ |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |access-date=March 5, 2019 |website=School of Business}} Liberty's school of business is accredited by ACBSP.{{Cite web |title=Details – ACBSP |url=https://acbspsearch.org/Home/Details?instId=Inst2427 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306171237/http://acbspsearch.org/Home/Details?instId=Inst2427 |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |access-date=May 16, 2019 |website=Acbspsearch.org}}{{Cite web |title=Institutional and Program Accreditation – About Liberty – Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=7650 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121174633/http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=7650 |archive-date=January 21, 2019 |access-date=May 16, 2019 |website=Liberty.edu}} In 2019, the School of Business was nearing completion of a new 78,000-sq.-ft. building.{{Cite web |date=March 15, 2019 |title=Sneak peek: School of Business building nears completion | Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=316954 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906031751/https://www.liberty.edu/news/2019/03/15/sneak-peek-school-of-business-building-nears-completion/ |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=July 13, 2019 |website=Liberty.edu}}{{Cite web |last=McComsey |first=Laura Taylor & Hannah |date=August 14, 2019 |title=Liberty University welcomes students back, puts finishing touches on School of Business |url=http://wset.com/news/local/liberty-university-welcomes-students-back-puts-finishing-touches-on-school-of-business |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816130336/https://wset.com/news/local/liberty-university-welcomes-students-back-puts-finishing-touches-on-school-of-business |archive-date=August 16, 2019 |access-date=August 16, 2019 |website=WSET}}

The School of Communication & the Arts has five departments: Cinematic Arts, Digital Media and Journalism, Strategic and Personal Communication, Studio & Digital Arts, and Theatre Arts. More than 12,000 residential and online students enroll in this school.{{Cite web |date=January 17, 2020 |title=Liberty University launches School of Communication and the Arts |work=WFXRtv |url=https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/local-news/liberty-university-launches-school-of-communication-and-the-arts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118134314/https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/local-news/liberty-university-launches-school-of-communication-and-the-arts/ |archive-date=January 18, 2020 |access-date=April 7, 2020}}

As of 2022 the School of Education enrolled 4,441 students.{{Cite web |date=August 15, 2022 |title=Liberty University – Best Education Schools |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/liberty-university-06937 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405042706/https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/liberty-university-06937 |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |access-date=July 29, 2023 |website=US News}}

File:DeMoss Hall.JPG

Liberty's School of Engineering offers degrees in computer engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, industrial & systems engineering, and mechanical engineering.{{Cite web |title=Engineering Degree Programs – School of Engineering – Liberty University |url=http://www.liberty.edu/academics/engineering/index.cfm?PID=19153 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126221553/http://www.liberty.edu/academics/engineering/index.cfm?PID=19153 |archive-date=November 26, 2018 |access-date=January 11, 2019 |website=Liberty.edu}} The engineering program is accredited through the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).{{Cite web |title=Find an ABET-Accredited Program |url=http://www.abet.org/contact-us/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528043950/https://www.abet.org/contact-us/ |archive-date=May 28, 2019 |access-date=May 16, 2019 |website=Abet.org}} In 2017, Liberty bought The Center for Advanced Engineering and Research (CAER) facility in Bedford, Virginia.{{Cite web |date=February 2, 2017 |title=Purchase finalized for Bedford County research campus – Liberty University |url=http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=220637 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815023310/http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=220637 |archive-date=August 15, 2017 |access-date=August 14, 2017 |website=Liberty.edu}}{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Liz |date=March 2019 |title=LU announces new School of Engineering building |url=https://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/lu-announces-new-school-of-engineering-building/article_e8194cf0-3c44-11e9-8e41-ef61c2e9b606.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816130334/https://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/lu-announces-new-school-of-engineering-building/article_e8194cf0-3c44-11e9-8e41-ef61c2e9b606.html |archive-date=August 16, 2019 |access-date=August 16, 2019 |website=NewsAdvance.com}}

The School of Engineering has spent considerable resources on a project titled "Simulating Genesis" "to show how the laws of physics align with biblical history."{{Cite web |last=Horstemeyer |first=Mark |title=Simulating Genesis: Using Physics-Based Modeling to Illustrate the Bible's Reliability in Science |url=https://www.liberty.edu/journal/article/simulating-genesis-using-physics-based-modeling-to-illustrate-the-bibles-reliability-in-science/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906032226/https://www.liberty.edu/journal/article/simulating-genesis-using-physics-based-modeling-to-illustrate-the-bibles-reliability-in-science/ |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=July 18, 2022 |website=liberty.edu |publisher=Liberty Journal (Liberty University)}}

82% of Liberty University School of Law's Class of 2018 obtained full-time, bar passage, or JD-required employment nine months after graduation, according to ABA-required disclosures.{{Cite web |title=Standard 509 Disclosure |url=http://www.abarequireddisclosures.org/BarPassageOutcomes.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610180213/http://www.abarequireddisclosures.org/barpassageoutcomes.aspx |archive-date=June 10, 2019 |access-date=August 16, 2019 |website=Abarequireddisclosures.org}} The law school has been accredited by the American Bar Association since 2010.{{Cite web |title=Liberty University School of Law Awarded Full Accreditation by the ABA – College & University News – College & University |url=https://www.catholic.org/college/story.php?id=37855 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007091609/https://www.catholic.org/college/story.php?id=37855 |archive-date=October 7, 2018 |access-date=May 16, 2019 |website=Catholic Online}} In February 2019, all of its graduates who took the Virginia Bar Exam passed.{{Cite web |title=VBBE – Exam – Statistics |url=https://barexam.virginia.gov/bar/barstats.html# |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507135305/http://barexam.virginia.gov/bar/barstats.html |archive-date=May 7, 2019 |access-date=May 16, 2019 |website=Barexam.virginia.gov}} The school is ranked 140 out of 196 law schools ranked by the U.S. News & World Report in its 2024 law school rankings.{{Cite web |title=Liberty University - Best Law Schools |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/liberty-university-03196 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241224131208/https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/liberty-university-03196 |archive-date=December 24, 2024 |access-date=December 24, 2024 |website=usnews.com |publisher=U.S. News & World Report}}

In 2017, Liberty announced its new Center for Law and Government will be led by former U.S. representative Robert Hurt.{{Update inline|date=May 2019}} The center will house the Liberty University School of Law and the Jesse Helms School of Government.{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Patrick |date=January 25, 2017 |title=Former U.S. Rep. Hurt to head new government, law center at Liberty University |url=https://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/former-u-s-rep-hurt-to-head-new-government-law/article_541e19ab-15cc-564f-90c4-46a75a9af697.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816130335/https://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/former-u-s-rep-hurt-to-head-new-government-law/article_541e19ab-15cc-564f-90c4-46a75a9af697.html |archive-date=August 16, 2019 |access-date=August 16, 2019 |website=Richmond Times-Dispatch}}

The departments of worship and music studies and of music and humanities merged in 2012 into a school of music, composed of two distinct centers.{{Cite web |date=September 14, 2012 |title=New School of Music announced |url=http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=63985 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203173142/http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=63985 |archive-date=February 3, 2014 |access-date=February 8, 2014 |publisher=Liberty University}}{{Cite news |date=September 17, 2012 |title=New School of Music announced for Liberty University |url=http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2012/sep/17/new-school-music-announced-liberty-university-ar-2212999/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120920201803/http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2012/sep/17/new-school-music-announced-liberty-university-ar-2212999/ |archive-date=September 20, 2012 |access-date=August 13, 2016 |work=The News & Advance |location=Lynchburg, VA}}{{Cite news |date=September 15, 2012 |title=New Liberty University School of Music Announced |url=http://www.wafb.com/story/19551385/new-liberty-university-school-of-music-announced |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205164930/http://www.wafb.com/story/19551385/new-liberty-university-school-of-music-announced |archive-date=February 5, 2013 |access-date=August 13, 2016 |work=WAFB 9 News |location=Baton Rouge, LA}}{{Cite web |title=All-Steinway Schools |url=http://www.steinway.com/institutions/all-steinway-schools/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924110423/http://www.steinway.com/institutions/all-steinway-schools |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=September 18, 2015 |publisher=Steinway & Sons}} The School of Music offers 32 bachelor's degrees,{{Cite web |title=Bachelor's Degree Programs | Liberty University School of Music |url=https://www.liberty.edu/music/bachelors/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713040510/https://www.liberty.edu/music/bachelors/ |archive-date=July 13, 2019 |access-date=July 13, 2019 |website=School of Music}} 15 master's degrees, and four doctoral degrees.{{Cite web |title=Master's Degrees & Doctoral Degrees | Liberty University School of Music |url=https://www.liberty.edu/music/masters/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713040510/https://www.liberty.edu/music/masters/ |archive-date=July 13, 2019 |access-date=July 13, 2019 |website=School of Music}}{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Emily McFarlan |date=July 19, 2019 |title=Michael W. Smith, Kevin Jonas Launch Liberty University Music Label |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/july/michael-w-smith-kevin-jonas-launch-liberty-university-music.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722191428/https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/july/michael-w-smith-kevin-jonas-launch-liberty-university-music.html |archive-date=July 22, 2019 |access-date=August 16, 2019 |website=News & Reporting}} Liberty University has a comprehensive band program. The Spirit of the Mountain is the official marching band of the university, performing in a corps style at Liberty football home games and other events.{{Cite web |title=Marching Band {{!}} Liberty University Bands {{!}} Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/music/bands/marching-band/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206140642/https://www.liberty.edu/music/bands/marching-band/ |archive-date=December 6, 2023 |access-date=November 30, 2023 |website=Liberty University Bands}}{{Primary source inline|date=November 2023}} Liberty also has orchestras, concert bands, a pep band, and an in indoor drumline which competes in Winter Guard International.{{Cite web |title=Indoor Drumline {{!}} Liberty University Bands {{!}} Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/music/bands/indoor-drumline/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202202959/https://www.liberty.edu/music/bands/indoor-drumline/ |archive-date=December 2, 2023 |access-date=November 30, 2023 |website=Liberty University Bands}}{{Primary source inline|date=November 2023}}

Liberty University's College of Applied Studies and Academic Success houses the Academic Success Center, the Eagle Scholar's Program, Technical Studies, Continuing Education, and Success Courses.{{Cite web |title=College of Applied Studies and Academic Success – CASAS – Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/casas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613191224/https://www.liberty.edu/casas/ |archive-date=June 13, 2019 |access-date=May 16, 2019 |website=Liberty.edu}}

Along with over 15 other associate programs, Liberty offers vocational education with various associate degrees in carpentry; electrical; heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC); plumbing; and welding. These trades are approved by the National Center for Construction Education and Research.{{Cite web |title=Find a Training or Assessment Center |url=https://www.nccer.org/get-involved/individuals-seeking-training/find-a-training-or-assessment-center |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816130343/https://www.nccer.org/get-involved/individuals-seeking-training/find-a-training-or-assessment-center |archive-date=August 16, 2019 |access-date=August 16, 2019 |website=Nccer.org}}{{Cite web |title=AAS in Technical Studies – College of Applied Studies and Academic Success – Liberty University |url=http://www.liberty.edu/academics/casas/index.cfm?PID=23909 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914125250/http://www.liberty.edu/academics/casas/index.cfm?PID=23909 |archive-date=September 14, 2017 |access-date=September 14, 2017 |website=Liberty.edu}}

According to the College Scorecard, Liberty University has a graduation rate of 34%. Median salary after attending ranges from $11,455 (AA in Teacher Education) to $72,022 (Electrical Engineering). 54% earn more than a high school graduate. Of those repaying student loans two years after entering repayment, 26% were in forbearance, 25% were not making progress, 14% were making progress, 14% were in deferment, 9% defaulted, 5% were paid in full, 5% were delinquent, and 2% had their loans discharged.{{Cite web |title=College Scorecard Liberty |url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?232557-Liberty-University |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012074449/https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?232557-Liberty-University |archive-date=October 12, 2019 |access-date=August 5, 2022 |website=Collegescorecard.ed.gov}}

{{Infobox US university ranking

| USNWR_NU = 394-435 of 439

| Wamo_NU = 428 of 442

| WSJ_NU = 499 of 500

}}

Liberty University was listed as 394-to-435th among "National Universities" in the 2023 U.S. News & World Report. {{Cite web |title=Liberty University Rankings |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/liberty-university-10392/overall-rankings#:~:text=your%20college%20needs%3F-,Liberty%20University%20Rankings,about%20how%20we%20rank%20schools |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413072827/https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/liberty-university-10392/overall-rankings#:~:text=your%20college%20needs%3F-,Liberty%20University%20Rankings,about%20how%20we%20rank%20schools |archive-date=April 13, 2017 |access-date=September 23, 2023 |publisher=US News}} It was ranked 428 out of 442 schools by the Washington Monthly in 2022.{{Cite web |date=August 29, 2021 |title=2021 National University Rankings |url=https://washingtonmonthly.com/2021college-guide/national |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913130500/https://washingtonmonthly.com/2021college-guide/national |archive-date=September 13, 2021 |access-date=September 1, 2021 |website=washingtonmonthly.com |publisher=Washington Monthly}}

In 2018, Liberty was among the ten colleges that enrolled the most undergraduates in the fall semester{{Cite web |title=10 Colleges With the Most Undergraduate Students |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/the-short-list-college/articles/colleges-with-the-most-undergraduates |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008052115/https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/the-short-list-college/articles/colleges-with-the-most-undergraduates |archive-date=October 8, 2019 |access-date=October 8, 2019}} and, when including online students, enrolled the most students of any U.S. university.{{Cite web |title=The 50 Largest US Colleges and Universities |url=https://www.collegexpress.com/lists/list/the-50-largest-us-colleges-and-universities/361/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008040052/https://www.collegexpress.com/lists/list/the-50-largest-us-colleges-and-universities/361/ |archive-date=October 8, 2019 |access-date=October 8, 2019 |website=collegexpress.com}}

In 2023, Liberty had an endowment of $1.71 billion, 43rd-largest among U.S. colleges and universities.{{Cite web |title=Rankings {{!}} Colleges with the largest endowment – Most endowment money |url=https://www.collegeraptor.com/college-rankings/details/Endowment |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920155914/https://www.collegeraptor.com/college-rankings/details/Endowment/ |archive-date=September 20, 2023 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=collegeraptor.com}}

File:July2007-LibertyUnvSign.jpg logo.]]

Liberty was ranked as the "Most Conservative College in America" by niche.com in 2016 and 2018,{{Cite web |date=November 3, 2016 |title=Liberty named 'Most Conservative College in America' – Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=212477 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122072534/https://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=212477 |archive-date=January 22, 2018 |access-date=January 21, 2018 |website=Liberty.edu}}{{Cite web |title=Most Conservative Colleges in America |url=https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/most-conservative-colleges/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225114409/https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/most-conservative-colleges/ |archive-date=February 25, 2018 |access-date=January 21, 2018 |website=Niche.com}} but by 2023 had been replaced by Brigham Young University.{{Cite web |title=Most Conservative Colleges in America |url=https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/most-conservative-colleges/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225114409/https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/most-conservative-colleges/ |archive-date=February 25, 2018 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Niche}}

The university is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia (Southern Baptist Convention).Southern Baptist Convention, [https://www.sbc.net/resources/directories/colleges-and-universities/ Colleges and Universities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606002220/http://www.sbc.net/colleges/ |date=June 6, 2017 }}, sbc.net, USA, retrieved October 22, 2022 Since 1999, Liberty has had an informal relationship with the organization; two of its members sit on the university's board of trustees.{{Cite web |last=Miller, Norm |date=November 16, 1999 |title=SBCV & Liberty University strike covenant agreement |url=http://www.bpnews.net/2717/sbcv-and-liberty-university-strike-covenant-agreement |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118010829/http://www.bpnews.net/2717/sbcv-and-liberty-university-strike-covenant-agreement |archive-date=January 18, 2018 |access-date=June 12, 2017 |website=Baptist Press}}{{Cite web |title=Colleges and Universities |url=http://www.sbc.net/colleges/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606002220/http://www.sbc.net/colleges/ |archive-date=June 6, 2017 |access-date=June 12, 2017 |publisher=Southern Baptist Convention}}

Liberty is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (Level VI).{{Cite web |title=Institutions |url=https://www.sacscoc.org/institutions/?state=VA&results_per_page=25&curpage=2&institution=0011N00001h9E3hQAE&status=Accredited,Candidate |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=SACSCOC |language=en}} In addition to institutional accreditation, many programs have programmatic accreditation granted by the following specialized agencies:{{Cite web |title=Institutional and Programmatic Accreditation {{!}} Institutional Effectiveness and Research {{!}} Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/institutional-effectiveness/institutional-and-programmatic-accreditation/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250417033712/https://www.liberty.edu/institutional-effectiveness/institutional-and-programmatic-accreditation/ |archive-date=17 April 2025 |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=Institutional Effectiveness and Research |publisher=Liberty University |language=en-US}}

• Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI)
• Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS)
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Virginia Department of Education (VDOE)
• Association Of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
• Commission for the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
• Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC)
• American Bar Association (ABA)
• National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA)
• Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
• Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA)

Liberty was previously accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) in September 1984, but resigned its TRACS accreditation on November 6, 2008.{{Cite news |year=2009 |title=Accreditation Details: Liberty University |url=http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/InstAccrDetails.aspx?756e697469643d3134373730332663616d70757349643d30267264743d352f32322f3230303920363a32313a343920504d |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906032230/https://ope.ed.gov/DAPIP/#/home |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=February 28, 2009 |publisher=United States Department of Education}}{{Cite news |date=November 2008 |title=Commission Action November 2008 |url=http://www.tracs.org/files/DOE_Nov08.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621013235/http://www.tracs.org/files/DOE_Nov08.pdf |archive-date=June 21, 2009 |access-date=February 28, 2009 |publisher=Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools}}

Liberty University is a conservative Evangelical college, which is reflected in its honor code and other policies. The university teaches creationism alongside the science of evolutionary biology.{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Nick |title=For many at Liberty University, guns and God go hand in hand |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-liberty-university-guns-god-20151214-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215215827/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-liberty-university-guns-god-20151214-story.html |archive-date=February 15, 2019 |access-date=February 15, 2019}} Its honor code, called the "Liberty Way", emphasizes purity culture.

In 2017, the school invited Ray Rice, who had been videotaped beating his fiancée three years earlier, to give a lecture on domestic violence.{{Cite web |last=Sordelett |first=Damien |date=December 6, 2017 |title=Former NFL running back Ray Rice tells Liberty University students: 'I ... lived a nightmare' |url=https://newsadvance.com/news/local/former-nfl-running-back-ray-rice-tells-liberty-university-students-i-lived-a-nightmare/article_b02aeeaf-b8b1-5656-9997-0543d61cf280.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906032200/https://newsadvance.com/news/local/former-nfl-running-back-ray-rice-tells-liberty-university-students-i-lived-a-nightmare/article_b02aeeaf-b8b1-5656-9997-0543d61cf280.html |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=September 10, 2021 |website=NewsAdvance.com}} In 2021, a dozen anonymous women sued the school, charging that it failed to curb domestic violence and sexual assault on campus.{{Cite web |last=rmahoney@newsadvance.com (434) 385-5554 |first=RACHEL MAHONEY |date=July 20, 2021 |title=Lawsuit alleges Liberty University culture allowed unchecked sexual violence |url=https://newsadvance.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/lawsuit-alleges-liberty-university-culture-allowed-unchecked-sexual-violence/article_3ed23126-e9a2-11eb-a50f-878690605650.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906032201/https://newsadvance.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/lawsuit-alleges-liberty-university-culture-allowed-unchecked-sexual-violence/article_3ed23126-e9a2-11eb-a50f-878690605650.html |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=September 10, 2021 |website=NewsAdvance.com}}{{Cite news |last=Svrluga |first=Susan |date=20 July 2021 |title=Lawsuit claims Liberty University mishandled sexual assault claims |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/07/20/lawsuit-claims-liberty-university-mishandled-sexual-assault-claims/ |access-date=10 September 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286}} A 2021 ProPublica investigation found that "an ethos of sexual purity, as embodied by the Liberty Way, has led to school officials discouraging, dismissing and even blaming female students who have tried to come forward with claims of sexual assault."{{Cite news |last=Dreyfus |first=Hannah |date=October 24, 2021 |title="The Liberty Way": How Liberty University Discourages and Dismisses Students' Reports of Sexual Assaults |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/the-liberty-way-how-liberty-university-discourages-and-dismisses-students-reports-of-sexual-assaults |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025001112/https://www.propublica.org/article/the-liberty-way-how-liberty-university-discourages-and-dismisses-students-reports-of-sexual-assaults |archive-date=October 25, 2021 |access-date=October 25, 2021 |publisher=ProPublica}}

The school sought for years to conceal campus crime and safety statistics, according to a preliminary 2023 report by the U.S. Department of Education reviewed by the Washington Post. The report, whose findings may yet be appealed by the school, documents alleged violations of the Clery Act, which requires schools that receive federal money to disclose crime and safety statistics. Instead, the report indicates, university officials destroyed documentation and failed to notify the campus of sexual predators, bomb threats, and gas leaks.{{Cite news |last=Svrluga |first=Susan |date=October 3, 2023 |title=Liberty University broke safety laws for years, government asserts |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/10/03/liberty-university-clery-act/ |access-date=October 23, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} In March 2024 the U.S. Department of education fined the university $14 million for its treatment of sexual assault survivors and the misclassification or underreporting of crimes. Victims were afraid to report crimes for fear of reprisals or were punished for violating the student code by administrators.{{Cite news |last=Finley |first=Ben |date=March 5, 2024 |title=Liberty University will pay $14 million, the largest fine ever levied under the federal Clery Act |url=https://apnews.com/article/liberty-university-clery-act-fine-ac7f365762fb8ac8a4abb86cf4613d33 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308145156/https://apnews.com/article/liberty-university-clery-act-fine-ac7f365762fb8ac8a4abb86cf4613d33 |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |access-date=March 9, 2024 |work=Associated Press News}}

In fall 2017, the acceptance rate for new first-time, full-time students entering Liberty's resident program was 30%. In 2011, the overall acceptance rate, which includes online students, was 51 percent.{{Cite web |title=U.S. News & World Report |url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/liberty-university-10392 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905053003/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/liberty-university-10392 |archive-date=September 5, 2011 |access-date=March 12, 2019 |website=U.S. News & World Report}} Liberty University Online is an open enrollment institution.

Liberty's Black population has declined from 19.9 percent in 2011 to 10.4 percent in 2019, with a graduation rate of 17% among full-time Black students.{{Cite web |last=Riggins |first=Katlyn |date=July 21, 2021 |title=Liberty University: Bigger Problems than Jerry Falwell's Actions |url=https://edreformnow.org/blog/liberty-university-bigger-problems-than-jerry-falwells-actions/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524234219/https://edreformnow.org/blog/liberty-university-bigger-problems-than-jerry-falwells-actions/ |archive-date=May 24, 2022 |access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=edreformnow.org |publisher=ERN}}

As of 2021, the residential student body is 74% White, 5% Latino, 4% Black, 3% two or more races, and 2% Asian or Pacific Islander, less than 1% Native American, and 7% "other". Its male-to-female ratio is 45% to 54%.{{Cite web |title=Liberty University |url=https://www.petersons.com/college-search/liberty-university-000_10002508.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905022744/https://www.petersons.com/college-search/liberty-university-000_10002508.aspx |archive-date=September 5, 2021 |access-date=September 5, 2021 |website=petersons.com |publisher=Petersons}}

Including online students, Liberty's undergraduate population in 2017 was 51% White, 26.5% race/ethnicity unknown, 15.4% Black or African American, 2.3% two or more races, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, 1.4% non-resident alien, 0.9% Asian, 0.6% American Indian or Alaskan native, 0.2% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.{{Cite web |title=Rankings |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/liberty-university-10392/overall-rankings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413072827/https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/liberty-university-10392/overall-rankings |archive-date=April 13, 2017 |access-date=May 18, 2019 |website=Usnews.com}} All 50 states and Washington, D.C., are represented along with 86 countries.{{Cite web |title=Liberty University Quick Facts |url=https://www.liberty.edu/aboutliberty/?PID=6925 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913135050/https://www.liberty.edu/aboutliberty/?PID=6925 |archive-date=September 13, 2017 |access-date=September 17, 2017 |website=Liberty University}} The online male-to-female ratio is 40% to 60%.{{Cite web |title=Liberty University Quick Facts |url=http://www.liberty.edu/aboutliberty/index.cfm?PID=6925 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005153158/http://www.liberty.edu/aboutliberty/index.cfm?PID=6925 |archive-date=October 5, 2017 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |website=Liberty University}} More than 30,000 military students and over 850 international students attend Liberty.

Liberty ranks 174th out of 2,475 schools in overall diversity, 94th out of 3,012 schools in age diversity, and 82nd out of 2,525 schools in location diversity.{{Cite web |date=February 20, 2013 |title=How Diverse is Liberty University? |url=https://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/liberty-university/student-life/diversity/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714055658/https://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/liberty-university/student-life/diversity/ |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |website=College Factual}}

{{As of|2010}}, when including online students, LU was the largest Evangelical Christian university in the world.{{Cite news |last=Boorstein |first=Michelle |date=June 2, 2010 |title=Liberty University reviewing claims that seminary president lied about his past |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/02/AR2010060203280.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316015438/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/02/AR2010060203280.html |archive-date=March 16, 2017 |access-date=September 3, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} {{As of|2013}}, LU was the largest private non-profit university in the United States. In terms of combined traditional and distance learning students, Liberty University is the 7th-largest four-year university, and the largest university in Virginia.{{Cite web |last=Wukman |first=Alex |date=June 13, 2012 |title=Liberty University Online Enrollment Reaches 80,000 |url=http://www.onlinecolleges.net/2012/06/13/liberty-university-online-enrollment-reaches-80000/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906051640/http://www.onlinecolleges.net/2012/06/13/liberty-university-online-enrollment-reaches-80000/ |archive-date=September 6, 2012 |access-date=July 10, 2012 |publisher=Online Colleges}}

Words and actions indicating "LGBT states of mind" are prohibited for students as of the 2021 version of The Liberty Way, the student handbook.{{Cite news |last1=Dell'Orto |first1=Giovanna |last2=Shimron |first2=Yonat |date=December 5, 2022 |title=LGBTQ students wrestle with tensions at Christian colleges |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/nation-world/lgbtq-students-wrestle-with-tensions-at-christian-colleges/article_0d34602d-e1bf-50cd-8b68-b25afc55c045.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906032230/https://tulsaworld.com/news/nation-world/lgbtq-students-wrestle-with-tensions-at-christian-colleges/article_0d34602d-e1bf-50cd-8b68-b25afc55c045.html |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=June 15, 2023 |work=Tulsa World}} Sexual relations are only permitted in a Biblically ordained marriage between a man and a woman. The student handbook says gay sex is prohibited by the Bible, and thus by the school.{{Cite book |url=https://www.bju.edu/life-faith/student-handbook.pdf |title=2022-23 Student Handbook |publisher=Liberty University |pages=73 |access-date=July 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623015529/https://www.bju.edu/life-faith/student-handbook.pdf |archive-date=June 23, 2022 |url-status=live}} Kissing, holding hands, or dating a member of the same sex are also prohibited under The Liberty Way.{{Cite web |last=Locklear |first=Robert |date=June 23, 2022 |title=Liberty University was already hostile to LGBTQ students. A quiet change to the rules makes it worse |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/06/liberty-university-already-hostile-lgbtq-students-quiet-change-rules-make-worse/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615223128/https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/06/liberty-university-already-hostile-lgbtq-students-quiet-change-rules-make-worse/ |archive-date=June 15, 2023 |access-date=June 15, 2023 |website=LGBTQ Nation}}

Students have criticized the university for being unwelcoming to LGBT students.{{Cite news |first=Paul |last=Fain |title=Liberty and Bob Jones Universities may run afoul of Obama Title IX protections for LGBT students |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/02/27/liberty-and-bob-jones-universities-may-run-afoul-obama-title-ix-protections-lgbt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425115525/https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/02/27/liberty-and-bob-jones-universities-may-run-afoul-obama-title-ix-protections-lgbt |archive-date=April 25, 2018 |access-date=April 25, 2018}} The Guardian has reported that LGBTQ+ students hide their dating behavior in order to graduate and to avoid being fined.{{Cite web |last=Youn |first=Soo |date=November 24, 2020 |title=How can you be LGBTQ+ at an evangelical university? In secret |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/24/lgbtq-evangelical-christian-liberty-university |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906032206/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/24/lgbtq-evangelical-christian-liberty-university |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=The Guardian}} Campus Pride, an organization that advocates for LGBT rights on college campuses, listed Liberty University as one of the worst universities for LGBT students.{{Cite news |title="Shame List": Campus Pride names 2017's "absolute worst" schools for LGBTQ students |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/shame-list-identifies-2017-s-absolute-worst-schools-lgbtq-students-n801851 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425192430/https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/shame-list-identifies-2017-s-absolute-worst-schools-lgbtq-students-n801851 |archive-date=April 25, 2018 |access-date=April 25, 2018 |publisher=NBC News}} The school offers conversion "therapy" to gay students, a practice that peer-reviewed studies have shown is ineffective and harmful.{{Cite web |date=May 13, 2021 |title=A Gay Man Says He Was Tormented at Liberty University. Now He's Suing |url=https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2021/5/13/gay-man-says-he-was-tormented-liberty-university-now-hes-suing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910133735/https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2021/5/13/gay-man-says-he-was-tormented-liberty-university-now-hes-suing |archive-date=September 10, 2021 |access-date=September 10, 2021}}{{Cite news |title=At Jerry Falwell's Christian College, It's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' on Gay Marriage |url=http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/03/falwells-college-goes-quiet-on-gay-marriage.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425183025/http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/03/falwells-college-goes-quiet-on-gay-marriage.html |archive-date=April 25, 2018 |access-date=April 25, 2018 |work=Daily Intelligencer}}

In 2021, a former Liberty University student was part of a class action lawsuit filed against the U.S. Department of Education alleging that the institution should not be eligible to receive federal funding because of its discriminatory practices against LGBT students.{{Cite web |date=March 30, 2021 |title=LGBTQ students file class-action lawsuit against Department of Education |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/lgbtq-students-file-class-action-lawsuit-against-department-education-n1262526 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626172008/https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/lgbtq-students-file-class-action-lawsuit-against-department-education-n1262526 |archive-date=June 26, 2022 |access-date=June 26, 2022 |publisher=NBC News}} In 2015, Liberty University denied the discounted tuition to same-sex and trans spouses of military personnel that it offered to heterosexual military couples.{{Cite news |date=November 30, 2015 |title=Liberty University Denies Tuition Discounts to LGBT Military Spouses |url=https://www.advocate.com/military/2015/11/30/liberty-university-denies-tuition-discounts-lgbt-military-spouses |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425120304/https://www.advocate.com/military/2015/11/30/liberty-university-denies-tuition-discounts-lgbt-military-spouses |archive-date=April 25, 2018 |access-date=April 25, 2018}} In 2016, the university ordered a version of a psychology textbook that omitted sections with LGBTQ+-focused content.{{Cite news |last=Kapsidelis |first=Karin |title=Liberty psychology course omits LGBT-related content |url=http://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/article_b4de73d5-b0a4-5581-9ba7-4fa29d63a6a7.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616164359/https://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/article_b4de73d5-b0a4-5581-9ba7-4fa29d63a6a7.html |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |access-date=April 25, 2018 |work=Richmond Times-Dispatch}}

The school says it does not engage in unlawful discrimination or harassment because of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability or military veteran status. But it "reserves its right to discriminate on the basis of religion to the extent that applicable law respects its right to act in furtherance of its religious objectives."{{Cite web |title=Non-Discrimination Policy |url=https://www.liberty.edu/institutional-effectiveness/non-discrimination-policy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923025535/https://www.liberty.edu/institutional-effectiveness/non-discrimination-policy/ |archive-date=September 23, 2021 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |website=liberty.edu |publisher=Liberty University}}{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2019 |title=Liberty University Responds to Eastern Zone's Anti-Discrimination Resolution |url=https://swimswam.com/liberty-university-responds-to-eastern-zones-anti-discrimination-resolution/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008040053/https://swimswam.com/liberty-university-responds-to-eastern-zones-anti-discrimination-resolution/ |archive-date=October 8, 2019 |access-date=October 8, 2019 |website=SwimSwam}}{{Cite web |date=January 27, 2020 |title=LGBTQIA+ People Harmed Under Trump's 3 Years in Office, New Brief Details |url=http://www.therainbowtimesmass.com/lgbtqia-people-harmed-under-trump-new-brief-details/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326052949/http://www.therainbowtimesmass.com/lgbtqia-people-harmed-under-trump-new-brief-details/ |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |website=The Rainbow Times}}

The Liberty University honor code forbids students to be alone with a member of the opposite sex "at an off-campus residence" or to have premarital sex anywhere. Students may not consume alcohol or tobacco.{{Cite news |title=My Weekend at the Falwells' South Beach Flophouse |first=Brandon |last=Ambrosino |date=August 25, 2017 |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/08/25/jerry-falwell-miami-hostel-liberty-university-trey-falwell-215528 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425032026/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/08/25/jerry-falwell-miami-hostel-liberty-university-trey-falwell-215528 |archive-date=April 25, 2018 |access-date=April 24, 2018 |work=Politico Magazine}} In 2015, Liberty revised the code to allow students to watch R-rated movies and to play video games rated "M".{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Sarah |date=September 1, 2015 |title=Liberty Way revised |url=https://www.liberty.edu/champion/2015/09/liberty-way-revised/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013061940/https://www.liberty.edu/champion/2015/09/liberty-way-revised/ |archive-date=October 13, 2018 |access-date=January 11, 2019}} In 2017, the curfew policy was changed to permit students age 20 and over to sign out and stay out past curfew.{{Cite web |last=Drogan |first=Deanna |date=September 29, 2017 |title=Liberty's new curfew policy: What does this mean for the future of LU? |url=https://medium.com/@ddrogan/libertys-new-curfew-policy-what-does-this-mean-for-the-future-of-lu-13471e8f664f |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509160520/https://medium.com/@ddrogan/libertys-new-curfew-policy-what-does-this-mean-for-the-future-of-lu-13471e8f664f |archive-date=May 9, 2019 |access-date=January 11, 2019}} In 2018, the administration rejected a resolution from the student government that would have allowed off-campus drinking, "profane language", and the use of tobacco.{{Cite web |last=Panyard |first=Jack |date=February 12, 2018 |title=Liberty VP Hine Speaks Out Against Liberty Way Changes |url=https://www.liberty.edu/champion/2018/02/response-student-government-senate/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828085015/https://www.liberty.edu/champion/2018/02/response-student-government-senate/ |archive-date=August 28, 2018 |access-date=January 11, 2019}}

File:Vines Center Convocation.jpg

Liberty's convocation, held at the Vines Center on Wednesdays and Fridays, is the largest weekly gathering of Christian students in America.{{Cite news |date=October 30, 2015 |title=The world's largest Christian university relaxes some rules for students |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/10/30/the-worlds-largest-christian-university-relaxes-some-rules-for-students/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424202609/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/10/30/the-worlds-largest-christian-university-relaxes-some-rules-for-students/ |archive-date=April 24, 2018 |access-date=May 18, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite news |date=September 1, 2014 |title=Liberty University Releases Fall Convocation Schedule |url=http://wset.com/archive/liberty-university-releases-fall-convocation-schedule |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514020649/https://wset.com/archive/liberty-university-releases-fall-convocation-schedule |archive-date=May 14, 2019 |access-date=May 16, 2019 |work=WSET}}

Attendance is mandatory for residential undergraduate and graduate students and commuter students under 21 years of age. They must report to their assigned Resident Assistant and sit in their assigned section, though they may skip Convocation once per semester if they notify their Resident Assistant at least 24 hours in advance. They are fined $25 for each of their first two unexcused absences, and $50 for each subsequent absence.{{Cite web |title=On-Campus Living Guide, Convocation |url=https://www.liberty.edu/residence-life/wp-content/uploads/sites/97/2021/08/On-Campus-Living-Guide.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003224021/https://www.liberty.edu/residence-life/wp-content/uploads/sites/97/2021/08/On-Campus-Living-Guide.pdf |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |access-date=October 3, 2022 |publisher=Liberty University Office of Residence Life |page=13}}{{Cite web |title=Convocation FAQ's |url=http://www.liberty.edu/faithservice/index.cfm?PID=32826 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201075410/http://www.liberty.edu/faithservice/index.cfm?PID=32826 |archive-date=February 1, 2018 |access-date=January 31, 2018 |website=liberty.edu}}

Commuting students over 21 are encouraged to attend.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

File:Liberty University LaHaye Student Union IMG 4121.JPG

According to Liberty's website, there are over 100 registered on-campus clubs and organizations.{{Cite web |date=January 7, 2014 |title=Student Government Association – Official University Clubs – Liberty University |url=http://www.liberty.edu/clubs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906032207/https://www.liberty.edu/students/sga/clubs/ |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=April 16, 2015 |publisher=Liberty.edu}}

Liberty Champion is Liberty University's official student newspaper.

In 2019, Will Young, a former editor of the Champion, recalled his experiences in a lengthy Washington Post article. In his first week in that role, he had been rebuked for attempting to get the campus's police blotter. He found that school officials often overrode student editors' decisions and imposed censorship, which was part of "an infrastructure of thought-control that Falwell and his lieutenants [had] introduced into every aspect of Liberty University life". Young wrote that when he eventually resigned, the school did not appoint a new student editor, opting instead to turn the newspaper "into a faculty-run, student-written organ and seizing complete control of its content."

Student journalists became so frustrated that they launched an independent newspaper, the Lynchburg Torch, to cover stories the administration tried to suppress.{{Cite news |last=Young |first=Will E. |date=July 24, 2019 |title=Inside Liberty University's 'culture of fear' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/07/24/inside-liberty-universitys-culture-fear-how-jerry-falwell-jr-silences-students-professors-who-reject-his-pro-trump-politics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728230509/https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/07/24/inside-liberty-universitys-culture-fear-how-jerry-falwell-jr-silences-students-professors-who-reject-his-pro-trump-politics/ |archive-date=July 28, 2019 |access-date=July 29, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite web |title=The Lynchburg Torch – A Liberty student run, independent news publication |url=https://thelynchburgtorch.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122234459/https://thelynchburgtorch.com/ |archive-date=November 22, 2021 |access-date=February 28, 2022 |publisher=Thelynchburgtorch.com}} It operated from 2017 to 2019.{{Cite web |date=November 22, 2021 |title=The Lynchburg Torch – A Liberty student run, independent news publication |url=https://thelynchburgtorch.com/ |access-date=December 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122234459/https://thelynchburgtorch.com/ |archive-date=November 22, 2021 }}

Liberty's Inter-Collegiate policy debate program ranked first overall (i.e., combining the results at the varsity, junior varsity, and novice levels) for their division at the National Debate Tournament in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011.[http://www.ndtrankings.org/00-ndtreport-apr-06.doc National Debate Tournament Spring 2006 Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203101859/http://www.ndtrankings.org/00-ndtreport-apr-06.doc |date=December 3, 2013 }} National Debate Tournament, 2006. (MS Word file)[http://www.ndtrankings.org/00-ndtreport-apr-07.doc National Debate Tournament Spring 2007 Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203113925/http://www.ndtrankings.org/00-ndtreport-apr-07.doc |date=December 3, 2013 }} National Debate Tournament, 2007 (MS Word file)[http://www.ndtrankings.org/00-ndtreport-apr-09.doc National Debate Tournament Spring 2009 Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203105533/http://www.ndtrankings.org/00-ndtreport-apr-09.doc |date=December 3, 2013 }} National Debate Tournament, 2009. (MS Word file)[http://www.ndtrankings.org/00-ndtreport-apr-10.doc National Debate Tournament Spring 2010 Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203171957/http://www.ndtrankings.org/00-ndtreport-apr-10.doc |date=December 3, 2013 }} National Debate Tournament, 2010. (MS Word file)[http://www.ndtrankings.org/00-ndtreport-apr-11.doc National Debate Tournament Spring 2011 Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203151436/http://www.ndtrankings.org/00-ndtreport-apr-11.doc |date=December 3, 2013 }} National Debate Tournament, 2011. (MS Word file) In varsity rankings, Liberty finished 20th in 2005, 17th in 2006, 24th in 2007, 12th in 2008, 9th in 2009, 4th in 2010, and 4th in 2011. In 2017, the team finished atop the final rankings of all three national debate tournaments for the eighth time, sweeping the American Debate Association, the Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA), and the National Debate Tournament (NDT). As of 2017, Liberty was the only school to finish first in all three in a single year. As well, it had placed first in the CEDA for eight straight years, first in the NDT for seven of those, and first in the ADA for 13 of the last 14.{{Cite web |date=April 18, 2017 |title=Debate Team sweeps all three national tournament titles – Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=231420 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202202142/https://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=231420 |archive-date=December 2, 2018 |access-date=January 11, 2019 |website=Liberty.edu}}

Through 2016, Liberty hosted the Virginia High School League's annual Debate State Championships each April. VHSL stopped holding debate competitions at the school after Chancellor Falwell said students should arm themselves to "end those Muslims" who committed the 2015 San Bernardino attack.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/debaters-boycott-championships-at-liberty-u-over-falwells-anti-muslim-remarks/2016/04/15/eaad7c34-0326-11e6-9203-7b8670959b88_story.html Debaters boycott championships at Liberty U. over Falwell's anti-Muslim remarks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823111054/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/debaters-boycott-championships-at-liberty-u-over-falwells-anti-muslim-remarks/2016/04/15/eaad7c34-0326-11e6-9203-7b8670959b88_story.html|date=August 23, 2018}}. The Washington Post (April 15, 2016). Retrieved July 19, 2018. League officials said they sought an "environment free from harassment, personal threat, or physical or mental harm."[https://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/vhsl-votes-to-move-state-championship-games-away-from-liberty/article_3906ec68-131b-11e6-bf04-7bddab358856.html VHSL votes to move state championship games away from Liberty University] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727081742/https://newsadvance.com/news/local/vhsl-votes-to-move-state-championship-games-away-from-liberty/article_3906ec68-131b-11e6-bf04-7bddab358856.html|date=July 27, 2020}}. The News & Advance (May 5, 2016). Retrieved July 19, 2018.

{{Main|Liberty Flames and Lady Flames}}

File:Williams Stadium Field.jpg

Liberty's athletic teams compete in Division I of the NCAA and are collectively known as the Liberty Flames. Liberty is a member of the ASUN Conference for 17 of its 20 varsity sports. Women's swimming competes in the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association, and women's field hockey competes in the Big East Conference.{{Cite web |date=May 15, 2012 |title=LU seeking to join FBS conference in all sports – The News & Advance |url=https://www.newsadvance.com/sports/college/liberty_university/lu-seeking-to-join-fbs-conference-in-all-sports/article_5ef0c76b-7463-5889-88f6-f117ff7c52c6.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206135205/https://newsadvance.com/sports/college/liberty_university/lu-seeking-to-join-fbs-conference-in-all-sports/article_5ef0c76b-7463-5889-88f6-f117ff7c52c6.html |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |access-date=April 1, 2020 |publisher=.newsadvance.com}} The field hockey team had belonged to the Northern Pacific Field Hockey Conference before that league's demise after the 2014 season. It competed as an independent in the 2015 season, then join the Big East Conference for the 2016 season.{{Cite press release |title=Big East Adds Liberty, Quinnipiac For Field Hockey |date=December 8, 2015 |publisher=Big East Conference |url=http://www.bigeast.com/news/2015/12/8/FH_1208150229.aspx |access-date=January 17, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126224334/http://www.bigeast.com/news/2015/12/8/FH_1208150229.aspx |archive-date=January 26, 2016}} Starting in 2018, the football team began competing in the FBS as an independent.{{Cite web |title=Liberty announces move to FBS in 2019 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2017/02/16/liberty-announces-move-to-fbs-2019/98015770/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815033523/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2017/02/16/liberty-announces-move-to-fbs-2019/98015770/ |archive-date=August 15, 2017 |access-date=August 14, 2017 |website=USA Today}} In 2020, Liberty entered the rankings in the AP Poll at 25 for the first time in program history. They finished the season being ranked 17 in the AP Poll and 18 in the Coaches Poll of top football teams in the country.{{Cite news |last=Sordelett |first=Damien |date=November 1, 2020 |title=Liberty cracks AP Top 25 poll for first time |url=https://newsadvance.com/sports/college/liberty_university/liberty-cracks-ap-top-25-poll-for-first-time/article_7ba9eb16-a10a-5a65-8aa6-aa8c503fc6cc.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026183101/https://newsadvance.com/sports/college/liberty_university/liberty-cracks-ap-top-25-poll-for-first-time/article_7ba9eb16-a10a-5a65-8aa6-aa8c503fc6cc.html |archive-date=October 26, 2021 |access-date=September 12, 2021 |work=newsadvance.com}}{{Cite web |title=2020 College Football Rankings for Preseason |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/rankings/_/year/2020/seasontype/2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912172556/https://www.espn.com/college-football/rankings/_/year/2020/seasontype/2 |archive-date=September 12, 2021 |access-date=September 12, 2021}}

The university regularly competes for the Sasser Cup, the Big South's trophy for the university that has the best sports program among the member institutions. Liberty has won the Sasser Cup ten times, the most in the Big South.{{Cite web |title=Flames News |url=http://www.libertyflames.com/index.cfm?PID=10869&NewsID=9058 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704135316/http://www.libertyflames.com/index.cfm?PID=10869&NewsID=9058 |archive-date=July 4, 2012 |access-date=April 16, 2015 |publisher=Libertyflames.com}} In 2012, Liberty became the first Big South school to win five consecutive Sasser Cups.{{Cite web |date=June 1, 2012 |title=Liberty First to Win 5 Straight Sasser Cups |url=http://www.libertyflames.com/index.cfm?PID=10869&NewsID=9132&TeamID= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127170639/http://www.libertyflames.com/index.cfm?PID=10869&NewsID=9132&TeamID= |archive-date=January 27, 2013 |access-date=July 10, 2012 |publisher=Liberty Flames}}{{Cite web |date=June 25, 2012 |title=Liberty University athletic director gets top award |url=http://www.wdbj7.com/sports/wdbj7-liberty-university-athletic-director-gets-top-award-20120625,0,2669447.story |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205220815/http://www.wdbj7.com/sports/wdbj7-liberty-university-athletic-director-gets-top-award-20120625,0,2669447.story |archive-date=February 5, 2013 |access-date=July 10, 2012 |publisher=wdbj7.com}}

As of the 2023 season, the Liberty Flames compete in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as a member of Conference USA. The team used Lynchburg's City Stadium as their home stadium until October 21, 1989, when the Flames played their first home game at Williams Stadium.{{Cite web |title=News & Events – News Article – Liberty University. Liberty.edu. |url=http://www.libertyflames.com/index.cfm?PID=10869&newsID=5633&TeamID= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818075603/http://www.libertyflames.com/index.cfm?PID=10869&newsID=5633&TeamID= |archive-date=August 18, 2010 |access-date=August 5, 2010}} The Flames won their first three bowl games: the Cure Bowl in 2019 and 2020 and the LendingTree Bowl in 2021.{{Cite web |last=Walls |first=Dave |date=December 22, 2019 |title=Liberty Football wins Cure Bowl over Georgia Southern, 23–16 |url=https://wset.com/sports/college-sports/liberty-football-wins-cure-bowl-over-georgia-southern-23-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206125021/https://wset.com/sports/college-sports/liberty-football-wins-cure-bowl-over-georgia-southern-23-16 |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |website=WSET}}{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2021 |title=Willis Leads Flames to 2021 LendingTree Bowl Victory – Liberty Flames |url=https://www.liberty.edu/flames/news/willis-leads-flames-to-2021-lendingtree-bowl-victory/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906032209/https://libertyflames.com/news/2021/12/18/willis-leads-flames-to-2021-lendingtree-bowl-victory?sidearmRedirect=true |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=February 28, 2022 |publisher=Liberty.edu}} Since 2022, the Flames' head coach has been Jamey Chadwell. In 2023, the Flames went undefeated (12–0) in the regular season, the first Division-I team from Virginia to do so,{{Cite web |date=November 26, 2023 |title=Liberty finishes 1st perfect regular season in program's 50 years with 42-28 win over UTEP |url=https://apnews.com/article/liberty-utep-undefeated-football-score-428394b3ed577887adbbadc0bc4e607a |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215011608/https://apnews.com/article/liberty-utep-undefeated-football-score-428394b3ed577887adbbadc0bc4e607a |archive-date=December 15, 2023 |access-date=December 15, 2023 |work=Associated Press News}} and won the CUSA Championship Game. On January 1, 2024, they played in their first New Year's 6 bowl, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, against the Pac-12 Oregon Ducks, losing 45–6.

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Liberty University's basketball teams play most home games in the 4,000-seat Liberty Arena; some are moved to the 9,547-seat Vines Center.{{Cite web |title=Facilities – Vines Center Basketball |url=http://www.libertyflames.com/index.cfm?PID=13647 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403051624/http://www.libertyflames.com/index.cfm?PID=13647 |archive-date=April 3, 2008 |access-date=July 10, 2012 |publisher=Liberty Flames}} Several members of the men's Liberty Flames have been recruited to the NBA.{{Cite web |title=NBA Draft Picks From Liberty University |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/friv/draft.cgi?college=liberty |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120710130915/http://www.basketball-reference.com/friv/draft.cgi?college=liberty |archive-date=July 10, 2012 |access-date=July 10, 2012 |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com}}{{Cite web |title=NBA Players who Attended Liberty University – Basketballreference.com |url=http://www.databasebasketball.com/players/bycollege.htm?sch=Liberty+University |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060506081438/http://www.databasebasketball.com/players/bycollege.htm?sch=Liberty+University |archive-date=May 6, 2006 |access-date=July 10, 2012 |publisher=Databasebasketball.com}} The women's Liberty Lady Flames was honored by the Big South "with the Top 25 'Best of the Best' moments in League history from 1983–2008; with Liberty University's 10-year women's basketball championship run from 1996–2007 was crowned the No. 1 moment in the Big South's first 25 years."{{Cite web |title=Big South Conference History |url=http://www.bigsouthsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4800&ATCLID=130896 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628145007/http://www.bigsouthsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4800&ATCLID=130896 |archive-date=June 28, 2012 |access-date=July 10, 2012 |website=Bigsouthsports.com}}

In 2019, the men's basketball program won the Atlantic Sun Conference basketball tournament and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA basketball tournament. Liberty earned its highest ranking ever when it was selected as the No. 12 seed in the East Region. Liberty set a school record with their 29th win as they upset Mississippi State 80–76 in the first round of the East Region in the 2019 NCAA tournament.{{Cite web |last=Sordelett |first=Damien |date=March 17, 2019 |title=Liberty claims No. 12 seed in East Region of NCAA Tournament |url=https://www.newsadvance.com/sports/college/liberty_university/liberty-claims-no-seed-in-east-region-of-ncaa-tournament/article_7d042ca4-4901-11e9-8416-43e999ac9536.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206135207/https://newsadvance.com/sports/college/liberty_university/liberty-claims-no-seed-in-east-region-of-ncaa-tournament/article_7d042ca4-4901-11e9-8416-43e999ac9536.html |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |access-date=May 16, 2019 |website=NewsAdvance.com}}{{Cite web |date=March 17, 2019 |title=Here's who Liberty University will play in the 2019 NCAA Tournament |url=https://wtvr.com/2019/03/17/liberty-university-ncaa-tournament/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327091919/https://wtvr.com/2019/03/17/liberty-university-ncaa-tournament/ |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |access-date=May 16, 2019 |website=Wtvr.com}}{{Cite news |last=Bhatia |first=Akash |title=Here are 5 NCAA Tournament bracket-busters that could be this year's Cinderella |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/here-are-5-ncaa-tournament-bracket-busters-that-could-be-this-years-cinderella-2019-03-17 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090706/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/here-are-5-ncaa-tournament-bracket-busters-that-could-be-this-years-cinderella-2019-03-17 |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |access-date=May 16, 2019 |work=Marketwatch}}

The Liberty Baseball Stadium, completed in June 2013 and home to Liberty Baseball, was ranked No. 4 among college ballpark experiences by Stadium Journey website in 2015.{{Cite web |title=2015 NCAA Ballpark Experience Rankings |url=http://www.stadiumjourney.com/news/06-10-2015/1108/2015_ncaa_ballpark_experience_rankings/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117025613/http://www.stadiumjourney.com/news/06-10-2015/1108/2015_ncaa_ballpark_experience_rankings/ |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |access-date=November 15, 2015 |publisher=Stadium Journey}} The stadium includes 2,500 chairbacks, locker room, four indoor batting tunnels, four luxury suites, offices for the baseball program, a weight room, team room and a fully functional press area.{{Cite web |date=February 23, 2013 |title=Liberty Baseball Stadium – Liberty Flames |url=http://www.liberty.edu/flames/index.cfm?PID=29073 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117024023/http://www.liberty.edu/flames/index.cfm?PID=29073 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |access-date=November 15, 2015 |publisher=Liberty.edu}} Several Liberty Flames baseball players were drafted during the 2015 Major League Baseball draft. Local stations air some games.{{Cite web |date=March 14, 2014 |title=Liberty Baseball Stadium Reviews, Liberty Flames |work=Stadium Journey |url=http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/liberty-baseball-stadium-s1986 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106145342/http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/liberty-baseball-stadium-s1986 |archive-date=January 6, 2016 |access-date=November 15, 2015 }} Some games have aired nationally on ESPNU.{{Cite web |date=February 24, 2015 |title=2015 Baseball Promo Schedule Announced – Liberty Flames |url=https://www.liberty.edu/flames/index.cfm?PID=10869&newsID=14182&TeamID= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106145341/https://www.liberty.edu/flames/index.cfm?PID=10869&newsID=14182&TeamID= |archive-date=January 6, 2016 |access-date=November 15, 2015 |publisher=Liberty.edu}}

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Liberty University has men's and women's club ice hockey teams. The women's team has won six American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) D1 national championships (2015, 2018-2023) and is currently coached by Chris Lowes.

Men's hockey started in 1985{{Cite web |title="News & Events – News Article – Liberty University". Liberty.edu. |url=http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=21779 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122074730/http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=21779 |archive-date=November 22, 2011 |access-date=September 16, 2010}} when Liberty students organized a team to play surrounding colleges and clubsLohmann, Bill, "Playing for the Lord; Liberty finds it has passion for ice hockey"Richmond Times Dispatch p. G-1. February 4, 2007. but has since become a competitive club team competing against much larger schools such as University of Oklahoma, University of Delaware, and Penn State University.{{Cite web |title=Liberty University Hockey Schedule 2011–12"Liberty.edu. |url=http://www.liberty.edu/campusrec/clubsports/index.cfm?PID=16880 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212001027/http://www.liberty.edu/campusrec/clubsports/index.cfm?PID=16880 |archive-date=December 12, 2010 |access-date=October 12, 2011}} In 2006, Liberty became the only Virginia school with a men's ACHA Division I club hockey team; and opened the 3,000-seat LaHaye Ice Center, a gift of Timothy and Beverly LaHaye.{{Cite web |title=LaHaye Ice Center |url=http://www.lahayeicecenter.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621101809/http://www.lahayeicecenter.net/ |archive-date=June 21, 2012 |access-date=July 10, 2012 |publisher=LaHaye Ice Center}} The men's Division I team is coached by Kirk Handy.

Individual NCAA Division I champions include Josh McDougal{{Cite web |title=25th Anniversary Profile: Josh McDougal |url=https://bigsouthsports.com/news/2008/9/23/MITRACK_0924085409464.aspx?path=general |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906032326/https://bigsouthsports.com/news/2008/9/23/MITRACK_0924085409464.aspx?path=general |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=May 7, 2020 |website=Big South Conference}} (2007) and Samuel Chelanga (2009–2010). Chelanga took two gold medals and three silvers in outdoor and indoor competition in three years and won All-American honors 14 times.{{Cite web |title=Chelanga Clicking off Fast Times | Liberty Flames |url=http://www.liberty.edu/flames/index.cfm?PID=10869&NewsID=11948&TeamID |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326052654/http://www.liberty.edu/flames/index.cfm?PID=10869&NewsID=11948&TeamID |archive-date=March 26, 2017 |access-date=June 17, 2018}}

Liberty University has an Internet education component called Liberty University Online, also known as LU Online or LUO, which provides degrees from associate's level to doctorate.Liberty University offers 100% online associate degrees and bachelor's degrees, as well as certificates, in many areas of study.

Online students constitute the overwhelming majority of the university's students and revenue, "subsidizing the university" and making them "a killing", according to faculty members, despite the "steep drop-off in quality from the traditional college to the online courses." Critics have argued that the online division subsidizes campus resources, such as the ski resort and gun range, and that online enrollment is run in a boiler room fashion. Online instructors are mainly engaged in answering emails and grading rather than creating and delivering content.{{Cite web |date=April 17, 2018 |title=Billion-Dollar Blessings |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/liberty-university-online-jerry-falwell-jr |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618044455/https://www.propublica.org/article/liberty-university-online-jerry-falwell-jr |archive-date=June 18, 2020 |access-date=August 16, 2020 |publisher=ProPublica}}

Established in 2007, the Liberty University Online Academy (LUOA) is a K-12 private school serving about 18,000 students for academically talented students worldwide. It is accredited by SACS (Southern Association of Schools and Colleges).{{Cite web |title=Find a School |url=https://www.acsi.org/find-a-school |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120155008/https://www.acsi.org/find-a-school |archive-date=January 20, 2024 |access-date=March 3, 2024 |website=ACSI}}{{Cite web |title=Cognia |url=https://home.cognia.org/#/registry |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906032319/https://home.cognia.org/#/registry |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=March 3, 2024 |website=home.cognia.org}}{{Cite web |date=2021 |title=Affiliate Handbook – LUOA |url=https://luoa-website.s3.amazonaws.com/affiliates/LUOA_Affiliate_Handbook.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303235131/https://luoa-website.s3.amazonaws.com/affiliates/LUOA_Affiliate_Handbook.pdf |archive-date=March 3, 2024 |access-date=March 3, 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Napier |first=Andi Shae |date=December 5, 2022 |title=Enrollment surges: more than 15,500 residential and 115,000 online |url=https://www.liberty.edu/champion/2022/12/enrollment-surges-more-than-15500-residential-and-115000-online/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319090221/https://www.liberty.edu/champion/2022/12/enrollment-surges-more-than-15500-residential-and-115000-online/ |archive-date=March 19, 2024 |access-date=March 5, 2024 |website=The Liberty Champion}} In 2018, The New York Times reported that Liberty faculty acknowledge that courses taken via the lucrative{{Cite news |first=Kevin |last=Carey |date=February 1, 2017 |title=With Falwell as Education Adviser, His Own University Could Benefit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/01/upshot/with-falwell-as-education-adviser-his-own-college-could-benefit.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425033417/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/01/upshot/with-falwell-as-education-adviser-his-own-college-could-benefit.html |archive-date=April 25, 2018 |access-date=April 24, 2018 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}} Liberty University Online program are worse than the university's traditional in-person classes.

In November 2019, Liberty and Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA launched a think tank subsidiary called the Falkirk Center for Faith and Liberty.{{Cite web |title=New Think Tank Launched By Liberty University |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/think-tank-launched-liberty-university-173000934.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203065223/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/think-tank-launched-liberty-university-173000934.html |archive-date=December 3, 2019 |access-date=December 3, 2019 |website=finance.yahoo.com}}{{Cite web |last=Parke |first=Caleb |date=December 2, 2019 |title=Kirk, Falwell Jr. launch Liberty University think tank to fight attacks on Judeo-Christian values |url=https://www.foxnews.com/faith-values/falkirk-liberty-university-jesus-constitution-christian-think-tank |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203065225/https://www.foxnews.com/faith-values/falkirk-liberty-university-jesus-constitution-christian-think-tank |archive-date=December 3, 2019 |access-date=December 3, 2019 |website=Fox News}} The name was derived, in part, from the portmanteau combining the names of Jerry Falwell Jr. and Charlie Kirk, as well as Falwell's affinity for the film Braveheart and the Battle of Falkirk, which was depicted in the film.{{Cite news |last=Katharine Hay |date=March 12, 2020 |title=American far-right activists inspired by Braveheart name religious centre after Scottish town |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/american-far-right-activists-inspired-by-braveheart-name-religious-centre-after-scottish-town-2447573 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211063835/https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/american-far-right-activists-inspired-by-braveheart-name-religious-centre-after-scottish-town-2447573 |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |access-date=December 11, 2023 |work=The Scotsman}} The think tank hired Trump attorney Jenna Ellis and Trump surrogate Sebastian Gorka as fellows and paid for political Facebook ads promoting Trump and other Republican candidates during the 2020 election campaign.{{Cite web |last=Severns |first=Maggie |date=December 14, 2020 |title=In final years at Liberty, Falwell spent millions on pro-Trump causes |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/14/jerry-falwell-trump-liberty-university-444661 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110200300/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/14/jerry-falwell-trump-liberty-university-444661 |archive-date=January 10, 2021 |access-date=January 8, 2021 |website=Politico}}

In March 2021, the university renamed the organization the "Standing for Freedom Center", having chosen not to renew Kirk's contract several months earlier.{{Cite news |last=Ruth Graham |date=March 16, 2021 |title=Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Leaves Liberty University Think Tank |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/16/us/charlie-kirk-liberty-falwell-falkirk.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317205032/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/16/us/charlie-kirk-liberty-falwell-falkirk.html |archive-date=March 17, 2021 |access-date=March 16, 2021 |work=The New York Times}}

In November 2021, the Standing for Freedom Center hosted former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, author Eric Metaxas, and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee.{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Logan |date=November 16, 2021 |title=Sold-out Freedom Center conference brings in top conservative influencers to weigh in on Christians' role in the public arena |url=https://www.liberty.edu/news/2021/11/16/sold-out-freedom-center-conference-brings-in-top-conservative-influencers-to-weigh-in-on-christians-role-in-the-public-arena/ |access-date=June 4, 2022 |work=Liberty News |publisher=Liberty University}}

The Journal of Statesmanship and Public Policy explores topics in the realms of national security, international relations, domestic policy, and political philosophy from a deeply thoughtful, ethical, and Christian perspective." Recent articles have been published on strict constructionism and critical race theory.

{{Cite web |title=Journal of Statesmanship & Public Policy |url=https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/jspp/ |access-date=July 18, 2022 |website=digitalcommons.liberty.edu/jspp/ |publisher=Liberty University (Helms School of Governmentt)}}

The Liberty Bell News is an online publication whose mission is "to maintain the vision of the founder, Dr. Jerry Falwell Sr., to develop and train Christ-centered men and women with the values, knowledge, and skills essential to impact the world."{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.thelibertybellnews.com/about |access-date=July 22, 2022 |website=thelibertybellnews.com |publisher=Liberty University}}

In June 2021, Liberty University had $3.94 billion in assets and $474 million in liabilities. Its operating revenue was $1.15 billion and its operating expenses were $840 million.{{Cite web |date=May 9, 2013 |title=Liberty University Inc |url=https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_audit/7900220211 |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=propublica.org |publisher=ProPublica}} Its endowment was valued at $1.71 billion in fiscal year 2021. In fiscal year 2020, Liberty University received $800 million from online tuition and $361 million from residential student tuition.{{Cite web |title=Liberty University Annual Disclosure Report |url=https://www.liberty.edu/student-financial-services/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2021/08/Liberty-University-FY20-Continuing-Disclosure-FINAL.pdf |website=liberty.edu}} According to Third Way, Liberty uses less than 20 percent of its revenues for instruction.{{Cite web |last=Newton |first=Derek |title=The Student Aid Pipeline We Can't Afford |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereknewton/2020/12/09/the-student-aid-pipeline-we-cant-afford/?sh=1606f98915a8 |access-date=September 2, 2022 |website=Forbes}}

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| yAxisTitle = Total ssets in Billions

| x = 2007, 2008, 2009,2010,2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

| y = .26, .34, .41, .61, .94, 1.27, 1.56, 1.84, 2.07, 2.27, 2.58, 2.81, 3.13, 3.37, 3.96

}}

In its early years, the university was held afloat financially by major donors. In 1987, Liberty University's 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status was formally recognized by the IRS.

In the 1990s, the university was placed on probation several times by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools because of heavy debt. In 1990, the university owed $110 million; in 1996, it owed $40 million. The Unification Church was an early donor.{{Cite news |last1=Fisher |first1=Marc |last2=Leen |first2=Jeff |title=A Church in Flux Is Flush With Cash |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/cult/unification/main.htm |access-date=December 13, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} In 1994, the university received $3.5 million through Sun Myung Moon's Women's Federation for World Peace. In 1996 News World Communications loaned $400,000 to Liberty.

In 2006, the university had net assets—cash, property, investments and other holdings—of roughly $100 million. At the start of Jerry Falwell Jr.'s presidency in 2007, the university listed $259 million in assets. Five years later, in May 2012, Falwell Jr. said the total had risen to $1 billion, thanks to proceeds from its online learning program and from accelerated facility expansion.{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Nick |date=March 5, 2013 |title=Virginia's Liberty transforms into evangelical mega-university |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/virginias-liberty-transforms-into-evangelical-mega-university/2013/03/04/931cb116-7d09-11e2-9a75-dab0201670da_story_2.html |url-status= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119084113/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/virginias-liberty-transforms-into-evangelical-mega-university/2013/03/04/931cb116-7d09-11e2-9a75-dab0201670da_story_2.html |archive-date=November 19, 2015 |access-date=February 8, 2014 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

In December 2010, Liberty sold $120 million in facilities bonds to finance expansion.{{Cite news |date=December 8, 2010 |title=LU sells $120M in facilities bonds |url=http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2010/dec/08/lu-sells-120m-facilities-bonds-ar-702763/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113011849/http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2010/dec/08/lu-sells-120m-facilities-bonds-ar-702763/ |archive-date=January 13, 2011 |access-date=December 17, 2010 |publisher=The News & Advance}} It sold an additional $100 million in taxable bonds in January 2012 to help finance $225.2 million of planned capital projects around the campus over the next five years.{{Cite news |last=Michael McDonald |date=January 12, 2012 |title=Falwell's Liberty University Doubles Debt Selling $100 Million to Expand |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-12/falwell-s-liberty-university-doubles-debt-selling-100-million-to-expand.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105025758/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-12/falwell-s-liberty-university-doubles-debt-selling-100-million-to-expand.html |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |access-date=March 8, 2017 |publisher=Bloomberg News}} The bond offering was part of Liberty University's campus transformation plan{{Cite web |date=August 25, 2011 |title=Campus transformation planned |url=http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=37241 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122031043/http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=37241 |archive-date=November 22, 2011 |access-date=July 10, 2012 |publisher=Liberty University}} which included several renovations and additions to academic buildings and student housing, as well as fund the new Jerry Falwell Library and formation of a medical school. The bonds received a rating of "AA" from Standard & Poor's and in 2013 received an upgraded rating of "Aa3" along with a "stable outlook" projection from Moody's Investors Services based on "the increasing scope of the University's activity", "its large pool of financial reserves", "uncommonly strong operating performance", and "discipline around building and maintaining reserves".{{Cite web |title=Liberty University issues taxable bonds – Liberty University |url=http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=45636 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130154618/http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=45636 |archive-date=January 30, 2012 |access-date=July 23, 2012 |publisher=Liberty.edu}}{{Cite web |date=September 9, 2013 |title=Rating Action: Moody's upgrades Liberty University's (VA) bonds to Aa3; outlook stable |url=https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-upgrades-Liberty-Universitys-VA-bonds-to-Aa3-outlook-stable--PR_281960 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019073029/https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-upgrades-Liberty-Universitys-VA-bonds-to-Aa3-outlook-stable--PR_281960 |archive-date=October 19, 2015 |access-date=September 10, 2013 |publisher=Moody's Investors Service}}

In March 2017, Falwell Jr. said that the university's endowment stood at more than $1 billion and gross assets are in excess of $2 billion. The U.S. Department of Education rated Liberty as having a "perfect" financial responsibility score.

According to a 2018 report by The New York Times, most of Liberty University's revenue comes from taxpayer-funded sources.

In 2019, Falwell Jr. was accused of using the university for his family's financial benefit.{{Cite web |last=Brandon Ambrosino |date=September 9, 2019 |title='Someone's Gotta Tell the Freakin' Truth': Jerry Falwell's Aides Break Their Silence |url=https://politi.co/2A4gYpy |access-date=September 10, 2019 |website=Politico Magazine}}{{Cite news |title=Perspective | Inside Liberty University's 'culture of fear' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/07/24/inside-liberty-universitys-culture-fear-how-jerry-falwell-jr-silences-students-professors-who-reject-his-pro-trump-politics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729023850/https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/07/24/inside-liberty-universitys-culture-fear-how-jerry-falwell-jr-silences-students-professors-who-reject-his-pro-trump-politics/ |archive-date=July 29, 2019 |access-date=July 29, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite web |date=May 9, 2019 |title=Did Jerry Falwell's personal photos violate Christian sexual codes? |url=https://religionnews.com/2019/05/09/did-jerry-falwells-personal-photos-violate-christian-sexual-codes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905185654/https://religionnews.com/2019/05/09/did-jerry-falwells-personal-photos-violate-christian-sexual-codes/ |archive-date=September 5, 2019 |access-date=September 10, 2019 |website=Religion News Service}}{{Cite web |last=Olmstead |first=Molly |date=September 9, 2019 |title=The Most Scandalous Allegations From Politico's Big Jerry Falwell Story |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/09/jerry-falwell-allegations-liberty-university-self-dealing.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910012953/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/09/jerry-falwell-allegations-liberty-university-self-dealing.html |archive-date=September 10, 2019 |access-date=September 10, 2019 |website=Slate}}{{Cite web |last=Ellis |first=Lindsay |date=January 17, 2019 |title=Liberty U. Senior Official Accepted Bag of Money for Helping Trump in Online Polls, Report Says |url=https://www.chronicle.com/article/Liberty-U-Senior-Official/245506 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717184417/https://www.chronicle.com/article/Liberty-U-Senior-Official/245506 |archive-date=July 17, 2019 |access-date=September 10, 2019 |via=The Chronicle of Higher Education}} Staff members said the university has funneled tuition money into real estate investments that benefit friends and family of the Falwells, including a shopping mall owned by the university and managed by Falwell's son Trey, a university vice president.{{Cite web |last=Brandon Ambrosino |date=September 9, 2019 |title='Someone's Gotta Tell the Freakin' Truth': Jerry Falwell's Aides Break Their Silence |url=https://politi.co/2A4gYpy |access-date=August 26, 2020 |website=Politico Magazine}} Falwell responded to the accusations by asserting that the FBI would investigate a "criminal conspiracy" in which individuals stole university property and shared it with reporters in an effort to damage his reputation.{{Cite web |last=Enjeti |first=Saagar |date=September 10, 2019 |title=Falwell Jr. says FBI to investigate 'criminal conspiracy' at Liberty University |url=https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/460699-jerry-fallwell-jr-calls-fbi-to-investigate-criminal-conspiracy-at-liberty/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910182830/https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/460699-jerry-fallwell-jr-calls-fbi-to-investigate-criminal-conspiracy-at-liberty |archive-date=September 10, 2019 |access-date=September 10, 2019 |website=The Hill}}

In 2018, ProPublica and The New York Times reported that Liberty University students were sixth in terms of receiving federal aid for the year 2017. Most of Liberty University's revenue came from taxpayer-funded sources. ProPublica/The New York Times reported that each of the university's 300 salespeople were pressured to enroll up to eight students per day. A division of 60 salespeople targeted members of the military specifically because they had greater access to federal tuition assistance. The university's salespeople were instructed to make the university appear more affordable by describing the tuition costs per credits rather than per course. The salespeople were also instructed to not inform potential students of the Christian orientation of the education; the first classes include three required Bible-studies classes. The credits for the Bible-studies classes are usually not transferable to other universities, which disincentivizes students from leaving Liberty University for other universities. According to a former employee, the university accepts any student with a grade point average above 0.5 (equivalent to a D-minus).

Liberty University has sponsored NASCAR driver William Byron, also a LU student, since 2014 in a late model program run by Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s JR Motorsports.{{Cite press release |title=JRM Adds William Byron to Late Model Program for 2014 |date=January 17, 2014 |publisher=JR Motorsports |location=Mooresville, North Carolina |url=http://www.jrmracing.com/media/2014/01/17/jrm-adds-william-byron-to-late-model-program-for-2014 |access-date=July 1, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703180736/http://www.jrmracing.com/media/2014/01/17/jrm-adds-william-byron-to-late-model-program-for-2014 |archive-date=July 3, 2019 |website=jrmracing.com}} Liberty is in the midst of a deal with Byron and NASCAR Cup Series team Hendrick Motorsports that runs through 2026.{{Cite web |date=August 30, 2017 |title=William Byron sponsorship: Liberty, Hendrick ink two-year deal |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2017/08/30/liberty-university-set-to-support-william-byrons-24-through-2019/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703174953/https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2017/08/30/liberty-university-set-to-support-william-byrons-24-through-2019/ |archive-date=July 3, 2019 |access-date=July 3, 2019 |website=Official Site of NASCAR}}{{Cite news |last=Buza |first=Kamryn |date=October 15, 2021 |title=Liberty University extends contract with NASCAR driver |url=https://www.wsls.com/news/2021/10/15/liberty-university-extends-contract-with-nascar-driver/ |access-date=October 18, 2021 |publisher=WSLS-TV}}

In 2019, Liberty University reportedly received about $700 million in federal funding.{{Cite web |last=Barnard |first=Christian |date=October 25, 2019 |title=Liberty University: A Cautionary Tale |url=https://www.jamesgmartin.center/2019/10/liberty-university-a-cautionary-tale/ |access-date=July 10, 2022 |website=jamesgmartin.center/ |publisher=The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal}}

Liberty University students have a lower default rate compared to the national average of graduates from all schools. However, Liberty University students have a higher rate of defaults within three years of completing their studies compared to graduates of other private, non-profit, four-year colleges. Liberty University spends far less on instruction than traditional private universities, for-profit colleges and other nonprofit religious colleges.

In connection with being named to a Trump administration task force on deregulating higher education, university president Falwell alluded, as an example of regulatory overreach and "micromanagement", to Obama-era regulations that govern student loan forgiveness for students who have been cheated by fraudulent colleges.{{Cite web |date=January 31, 2017 |title=Jerry Falwell Jr. Says He Will Lead Federal Task Force on Higher-Ed Policy |url=https://www.chronicle.com/article/Jerry-Falwell-Jr-Says-He-Will/239062 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426012013/https://www.chronicle.com/article/Jerry-Falwell-Jr-Says-He-Will/239062 |archive-date=April 26, 2018 |access-date=April 25, 2018}}The Chronicle of Higher Education, January 31, 2017.

File:Bernie Sanders at Liberty University, September 2015.webm delivering remarks at Liberty in September 2015]]

Liberty University has been described as a "stage of choice in Republican presidential politics",{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Nick |date=March 23, 2015 |title=Virginia's Liberty University: A mega-college and Republican presidential stage |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/03/23/virginias-liberty-university-a-mega-college-and-republican-presidential-stage/ |url-status= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424202821/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/03/23/virginias-liberty-university-a-mega-college-and-republican-presidential-stage/ |archive-date=April 24, 2018 |access-date=April 24, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286}} and a "pilgrimage site for GOP candidates." According to The Washington Post, Republican candidates are drawn to the university because it is viewed as a "bastion of the Christian right". Ronald Reagan's close relationship with the university gave it significant publicity in its early years. In 1990, 41st U.S president George H. W. Bush was the first sitting U.S. president to speak at Liberty's commencement.{{Cite web |title=George Bush: Remarks at the Liberty University Commencement Ceremony in Lynchburg, Virginia |url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=18479 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025022700/http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=18479 |archive-date=October 25, 2017 |access-date=October 24, 2017 |website=Presidency.ucsb.edu}} In 1996, U.S. Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas gave the commencement address at Liberty University.{{Cite web |title=Liberty University Commencement Address |url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?71900-1/liberty-university-commencement-address |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605064128/https://www.c-span.org/video/?71900-1%2Fliberty-university-commencement-address |archive-date=June 5, 2017 |access-date=January 31, 2020 |website=C-SPAN}}

Republican leaders Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Jeb Bush, Bobby Jindal, and John McCain have visited the campus. Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson spoke at the university.{{Cite web |date=October 17, 2016 |title=Gov. Gary Johnson encourages students to shape their own futures – Liberty University |url=http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=210173 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501162952/http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=210173 |archive-date=May 1, 2018 |access-date=May 1, 2018 |website=Liberty.edu}} In 2017, President Donald Trump gave his first college commencement speech as sitting president at Liberty University.{{Cite magazine |title=Read President Trump's Liberty University Commencement Speech |url=https://time.com/4778240/donald-trump-liberty-university-speech-transcript/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831174529/http://time.com/4778240/donald-trump-liberty-university-speech-transcript/ |archive-date=August 31, 2017 |access-date=September 12, 2017 |magazine=Time}} In 2019, Vice President Mike Pence gave the school's commencement address.{{Cite web |last=Frazin |first=Rachel |date=March 1, 2019 |title=Mike Pence to give commencement speech at Liberty University |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/432191-mike-pence-to-give-commencement-speech-at-liberty-university/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301205426/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/432191-mike-pence-to-give-commencement-speech-at-liberty-university |archive-date=March 1, 2019 |access-date=March 1, 2019 |website=The Hill}}{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2019 |title=Vice President Pence to speak at 2019 Liberty University commencement |url=https://wtkr.com/2019/03/01/vice-president-pence-to-speak-at-2019-liberty-university-commencement/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302091027/https://wtkr.com/2019/03/01/vice-president-pence-to-speak-at-2019-liberty-university-commencement/ |archive-date=March 2, 2019 |access-date=March 1, 2019}} Liberty was a satellite location for CPAC 2019, hosting numerous conservative speakers on-campus.{{Cite web |last=Carson |first=Ford |date=March 2, 2019 |title=Liberty helps host 2019 CPAC |url=https://www.virginiafirst.com/news/local-news/liberty-helps-host-2019-cpac/1820860835 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302090728/https://www.virginiafirst.com/news/local-news/liberty-helps-host-2019-cpac/1820860835 |archive-date=March 2, 2019 |access-date=March 1, 2019 |website=VirginiaFirst}}{{Cite news |last1=Schwager |first1=Colin |last2=Hoffman |first2=Chris |date=February 28, 2019 |title=Liberty University prepares for CPAC |url=http://wset.com/news/local/liberty-university-prepares-for-cpac |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301054055/https://wset.com/news/local/liberty-university-prepares-for-cpac |archive-date=March 1, 2019 |access-date=March 11, 2019 |work=WSET}}

In 2009, LU stopped recognizing LU's Democratic Party student group; school officials said this was because the Democratic Party platform goes against the school's conservative Christian principles.{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Anita |date=May 23, 2009 |title=Liberty U. Drops Democratic Club, Saying Views Conflict With Those of College |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/22/AR2009052200793.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013061335/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/22/AR2009052200793.html |archive-date=October 13, 2018 |access-date=April 24, 2018 |work=The Washington Post and Times-Herald |issn=0190-8286}} Democrats such as Ted Kennedy, Bernie Sanders, and Jesse Jackson have spoken there. In 2018, former 39th U.S. president Jimmy Carter gave the commencement speech.{{Cite news |last=Seipel |first=Brooke |date=May 19, 2018 |title=Jimmy Carter jokes crowd size is bigger at his Liberty commencement speech than Trump's |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/news/388465-jimmy-carter-jokes-crowd-size-is-bigger-at-his-liberty-university-commencement/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520151734/http://thehill.com/homenews/news/388465-jimmy-carter-jokes-crowd-size-is-bigger-at-his-liberty-university-commencement |archive-date=May 20, 2018 |access-date=May 20, 2018 |work=The Hill}} However, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Hillary Clinton have rejected invitations to speak at LU.

In 2021, Interim President Jerry Prevo told Scott Lamb, then the university's senior vice president for communications and public engagement, that he wanted the school to become "a more effective political player by helping to influence elections." Prevo said getting conservative candidates elected was "one of our main goals". Politico wrote that his comments "raise new questions about the blurred line between education and politics at the university, which as a 501(c)(3) charity is not supposed to participate directly in political campaigns".{{Cite web |last1=Stratford |first1=Michael |last2=Ambrosino |first2=Brandon |date=October 27, 2021 |title=Liberty U president says on tape that 'getting people elected' is his goal |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/10/27/liberty-university-jerry-prevo-influence-517303 |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=politico.com |publisher=Politico}}

In a December 5, 2015, convocation speech, President Jerry Falwell Jr. encouraged the student body to obtain concealed handgun permits. Falwell discussed the attack in San Bernardino and said, "If more good people had concealed-carry permits, then we could end those Muslims before they walked in." This was met with public condemnation for singling out the Muslim religion rather than the attack itself. Governor Terry McAuliffe called the statement "repugnant". Falwell later said he was referring to the Muslim shooters in the San Bernardino attack, not all Muslims.{{Cite news |last=Bailey |first=Sarah Pulliam |date=December 5, 2015 |title=Jerry Falwell Jr.: 'If more good people had concealed-carry permits, then we could end those' Islamist terrorists |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/12/05/liberty-university-president-if-more-good-people-had-concealed-guns-we-could-end-those-muslims/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210235622/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/12/05/liberty-university-president-if-more-good-people-had-concealed-guns-we-could-end-those-muslims/ |archive-date=December 10, 2015 |access-date=December 11, 2015 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286}}{{Cite news |last=Tobi Walsh and Jessie Pounds |title=Falwell defends convocation remarks – 'I'm not backing down' |url=http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/update-falwell-defends-convocation-remarks---i-m-not/article_beb5db52-8efb-55fe-8320-7a69710c6dff.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224040452/http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/update-falwell-defends-convocation-remarks---i-m-not/article_beb5db52-8efb-55fe-8320-7a69710c6dff.html |archive-date=February 24, 2017 |access-date=December 6, 2015 |work=Lynchburg News & Advance}}

File:President Trump speaking at Liberty University commencement.jpg

File:Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Liberty University.jpgThe school is noted for its official embrace of Donald Trump before and during his term as U.S. president. The businessman twice spoke at the university Convocation: in 2012, when he was awarded an honorary doctor of business degree,"[https://www.liberty.edu/champion/2012/10/business-mogul-donald-trump-visits-liberty/ Business Mogul Donald Trump Visits Liberty]," Liberty Champion, October 2, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2022. and in 2016. As U.S. president, Trump was the keynote speaker at the May 2017 commencement, when he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Falwell Jr. commended Trump for "bombing those in the Middle East who persecute and kill Christians," and that Trump had "proved that he is a man of his word."{{Cite news |last= |date=May 13, 2017 |title=LU confers seven honorary doctorates to world changers, including President Trump |url=http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=234393 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317234543/http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=234393 |archive-date=March 17, 2020 |access-date=May 20, 2020 |work=Liberty University News Service}} As of 2022, three honorary degrees Trump received from other institutions have been rescinded, but Liberty has not rescinded the two it granted Trump.{{Cite web |last=Nietzel |first=Michael |title=Liberty Is Now The Only University To Not Rescind Donald Trump's Honorary Degrees |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2021/01/09/liberty-is-now-the-only-university-to-not-rescind-donald-trumps-honorary-degrees/?sh=6c01e1b310b9 |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=Forbes}}

Falwell Jr.'s uncritical support for Trump{{Cite news |last=McCammon |first=Sarah |date=31 October 2017 |title=Christian Writer Banned From Liberty University Campus After Criticizing Trump Ally |url=https://www.npr.org/2017/10/31/561106568/christian-writer-banned-from-liberty-university-campus-after-criticizing-trump-a |url-status= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302152444/https://www.npr.org/2017/10/31/561106568/christian-writer-banned-from-liberty-university-campus-after-criticizing-trump-a |archive-date=March 2, 2019 |access-date=March 1, 2019 |work=NPR}}{{Cite news |last=Bacon |first=Perry Jr. |date=March 2, 2018 |title=How Trump And Race Are Splitting Evangelicals |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-trump-and-race-are-splitting-evangelicals/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216035233/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-trump-and-race-are-splitting-evangelicals/ |archive-date=February 16, 2019 |access-date=February 15, 2019}} was characterized as a repudiation of Christian values.{{Cite news |last=Silverman |first=Gary |date=April 13, 2017 |title=How the Bible Belt lost God and found Trump |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b41d0ee6-1e96-11e7-b7d3-163f5a7f229c |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216035146/https://www.ft.com/content/b41d0ee6-1e96-11e7-b7d3-163f5a7f229c |archive-date=February 16, 2019 |access-date=February 15, 2019}}{{Cite news |last=Usborne |first=David |date=February 17, 2018 |title=Ten reasons why America's evangelical Christians can no longer stand with Donald Trump |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/ten-reasons-evangelical-christians-withdraw-support-donald-trump-guns-florida-a8214616.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216094150/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/ten-reasons-evangelical-christians-withdraw-support-donald-trump-guns-florida-a8214616.html |archive-date=February 16, 2019 |access-date=February 15, 2019 |work=The Independent}}

Various school officials and students criticized this support and the university's ties with Trump.{{Cite news |last1=Shapiro |first1=T. Rees |last2=Bailey |first2=Sarah Pulliam |last3=Svrluga |first3=Susan |last4=Clement |first4=Scott |date=October 13, 2016 |title=Liberty University students protest association with Trump |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2016/10/12/liberty-is-not-trump-u-students-protest-donald-trump/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424202828/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2016/10/12/liberty-is-not-trump-u-students-protest-donald-trump/ |archive-date=April 24, 2018 |access-date=April 24, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286}} Among them was Mark DeMoss, Falwell's chief of staff, who was forced to resign from Liberty's board of trustees.{{Cite news |first=Tara Isabella |last=Burton |date=November 4, 2017 |title=Liberty University booted an anti-Trump Christian author from campus |url=https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/11/4/16597988/liberty-university-anti-trump-author-falwell-jonathan-martin-evangelical |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425031841/https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/11/4/16597988/liberty-university-anti-trump-author-falwell-jonathan-martin-evangelical |archive-date=April 25, 2018 |access-date=April 24, 2018 |work=Vox}} Another was Liberty alumnus Jonathan Merritt, whose invitation to speak on campus was rescinded. Still another was Christian author Jonathan Martin, who was expelled from campus.{{Cite news |last=Merritt |first=Jonathan |title=Why Liberty University Kicked an Anti-Trump Christian Author Off Campus |date=November 1, 2017 |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/11/why-liberty-university-banned-an-anti-trump-christian-author-from-campus/544571/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425114601/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/11/why-liberty-university-banned-an-anti-trump-christian-author-from-campus/544571/ |archive-date=April 25, 2018 |access-date=April 24, 2018 |work=The Atlantic}}

The school reportedly censored articles critical of Trump in the student newspaper. In 2016, a student editor said that Falwell had censored an opinion column that criticized Trump{{Cite news |date=October 18, 2016 |first=Yousef |last=Saba|title=Falwell censored anti-Trump column, Liberty U student editor says |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/jerry-falwell-donald-trump-liberty-229964 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425032045/https://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/jerry-falwell-donald-trump-liberty-229964 |archive-date=April 25, 2018 |access-date=April 24, 2018 |work=Politico}} for his lewd comments caught on an Access Hollywood tape. Other articles in the student newspaper which mentioned Trump were reportedly spiked by faculty members.{{Cite magazine |date=September 1, 2018 |first1=Charissa |last1=Koh |first2=Liz |last2=Lykins |first3=Isaiah |last3=Johnson|title=Papered over |url=https://world.wng.org/2018/08/papered_over |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827210024/https://world.wng.org/2018/08/papered_over |archive-date=August 27, 2018 |access-date=August 27, 2018 |magazine=World |publisher=World News Group}}{{Cite news |last=Samuels |first=Brett |date=August 20, 2018 |title=Falwell Jr. killed student newspaper articles critical of Trump: report |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/402734-falwell-jr-killed-student-newspaper-articles-critical-of-trump-report/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828001759/http://thehill.com/homenews/media/402734-falwell-jr-killed-student-newspaper-articles-critical-of-trump-report |archive-date=August 28, 2018 |access-date=August 27, 2018 |work=The Hill}} In 2018, two student editors were fired, reportedly for running articles critical of Trump; one of the student editors lost a $3,000-a-semester scholarship.{{Cite web |title=More Student Press Censorship Alleged at Liberty |website=Inside Higher Ed |first=Jeremy |last=Bauer-Wolf |date=August 22, 2018 |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2018/08/22/more-student-press-censorship-alleged-liberty |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531202250/https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2018/08/22/more-student-press-censorship-alleged-liberty |archive-date=May 31, 2019 |access-date=May 31, 2019}} In 2019, this censorship and other factors led the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education to rank Liberty University among the worst universities in terms of free speech.{{Cite web |last=Tynes |first=Brian |date=February 12, 2019 |title=Liberty University named among 'worst colleges for free speech' |url=https://www.whsv.com/content/news/Liberty-University-named-among-worst-colleges-for-free-speech-505723501.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531202252/https://www.whsv.com/content/news/Liberty-University-named-among-worst-colleges-for-free-speech-505723501.html |archive-date=May 31, 2019 |access-date=May 31, 2019 |website=Whsv.com |via=WWBT}}

In 2017, some students protested after President Trump criticized both white supremacists and counter-protesters at the August Charlottesville rally where three people died and 33 were injured.{{Cite news |last1=Schmidt |first1=Samantha |last2=Wang |first2=Amy B. |date=August 21, 2017 |title=Jerry Falwell Jr. keeps defending Trump as Liberty University grads return diplomas |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/08/21/liberty-university-graduates-return-diplomas-because-of-support-for-trump-by-jerry-falwell-jr/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403013021/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/08/21/liberty-university-graduates-return-diplomas-because-of-support-for-trump-by-jerry-falwell-jr/ |archive-date=April 3, 2018 |access-date=April 24, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286}} Following Trump's remarks, Falwell said that he was "so proud" of Trump for his "bold truthful" statement on the tragedy. A number of alumni returned their diplomas to Liberty University and called on the university to disavow Trump's remarks.{{Cite news |title=Some Liberty University Grads Are Returning Their Diplomas To Protest Trump |first=Sarah |last=McCammon |date=August 20, 2017 |url=https://www.npr.org/2017/08/20/544776964/some-liberty-university-grads-are-returning-their-diplomas-to-protest-trump |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820235048/http://www.npr.org/2017/08/20/544776964/some-liberty-university-grads-are-returning-their-diplomas-to-protest-trump |archive-date=August 20, 2017 |access-date=April 24, 2018 |publisher=NPR}}{{Cite news |first=Maggie |last=Astor|date=August 21, 2017 |title=Liberty University Alumni Return Diplomas in Protest of Trump Remarks |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/21/us/jerry-falwell-liberty-university-trump.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425031819/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/21/us/jerry-falwell-liberty-university-trump.html |archive-date=April 25, 2018 |access-date=April 24, 2018 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}} The graduates argued that Trump's remarks were "incompatible with Liberty University's stated values, and incompatible with a Christian witness."

In 2018, some Liberty students went to Washington, D.C., to support President Trump's Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh.{{Cite news |last=Amatulli |first=Jenna |date=September 27, 2018 |title=Liberty University Students Show Up To Support Brett Kavanaugh Amid Senate Hearing |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/liberty-university-kavanaugh-senate-hearing_us_5bacddb8e4b082030e790c28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008222438/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/liberty-university-kavanaugh-senate-hearing_us_5bacddb8e4b082030e790c28 |archive-date=October 8, 2018 |access-date=October 7, 2018 |work=HuffPost}} That same year, students at the university gave a standing ovation to First Lady of the United States Melania Trump, along with several Trump cabinet officials who spoke at the university during a convocation that focused on the opioid epidemic.{{Cite web |last=Richard |first=Caitlyn |date=November 28, 2018 |title=Melania Trump calls opioid epidemic 'worst drug crisis in American history' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/health/melania-trump-addresses-opioid-crisis-at-town-hall-meeting |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112172031/https://www.foxnews.com/health/melania-trump-addresses-opioid-crisis-at-town-hall-meeting |archive-date=January 12, 2019 |access-date=January 11, 2019 |publisher=Fox News}}{{Cite press release |date=November 28, 2018 |title=Melania Trump joins cabinet leaders to shed light on opioid crisis |website=Liberty University |url=https://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=296446 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111121605/https://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=296446 |archive-date=January 11, 2019 |access-date=January 11, 2019}}{{Cite web |last=Pavlich |first=Katie |title=First Lady Melania Trump Receives Standing Ovation at Liberty University |url=https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2018/11/28/first-lady-melania-trump-receives-standing-ovation-at-liberty-university-n2536666 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123946/https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2018/11/28/first-lady-melania-trump-receives-standing-ovation-at-liberty-university-n2536666 |archive-date=December 9, 2018 |access-date=January 11, 2019 |website=Townhall|date=November 28, 2018 }}

In spring 2018, Liberty's Zaki Gordon Cinematic Arts Center co-produced a feature film called The Trump Prophecy. The film focuses on a retired firefighter from Florida who says God revealed to him in 2011 that Trump would one day be president. The film was shown in some cinemas in October 2018.{{Cite news |last=Burton |first=Tara Isabella |date=May 30, 2018 |title=An evangelical Christian university is helping make a film that implies God chose Trump |url=https://www.vox.com/2018/5/30/17405720/liberty-evangelical-movie-trump-prophecy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180531132648/https://www.vox.com/2018/5/30/17405720/liberty-evangelical-movie-trump-prophecy |archive-date=May 31, 2018 |access-date=June 3, 2018 |work=Vox}}{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Samuel |date=May 26, 2018 |title=Liberty University Cinema Dept. Producing Feature Film 'The Trump Prophecy' |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/liberty-university-cinema-dept-producing-feature-film-trump-prophecy-224312/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180607191827/https://www.christianpost.com/news/liberty-university-cinema-dept-producing-feature-film-trump-prophecy-224312/ |archive-date=June 7, 2018 |access-date=June 3, 2018 |work=The Christian Post}}

In 2019, The Wall Street Journal and Inside Higher Education reported that Liberty CIO John Gauger allegedly accepted cash, through his IT consulting firm unaffiliated with the school, to rig two online polls for Trump before he became a candidate.{{Cite web |last1=Rothfeld |first1=Michael |last2=Barry |first2=Rob |last3=Palazzolo |first3=Joe |date=January 17, 2019 |title=Cohen Hired IT Firm to Rig Early CNBC, Drudge Polls to Favor Trump |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/poll-rigging-for-trump-and-creating-womenforcohen-one-it-firms-work-order-11547722801 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129191520/https://www.wsj.com/articles/poll-rigging-for-trump-and-creating-womenforcohen-one-it-firms-work-order-11547722801 |archive-date=January 29, 2019 |access-date=January 29, 2019 |website=The Wall Street Journal}}{{Cite web |date=January 28, 2019 |title=Liberty University stands by CIO, despite questionable business activities |first=Lindsay |last=McKenzie |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/01/29/liberty-university-stands-cio-despite-questionable-business-activities |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304130854/http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/01/29/liberty-university-stands-cio-despite-questionable-business-activities |archive-date=March 4, 2019 |access-date=March 11, 2019 |website=Inside Higher Ed}}

File:Jerry Falwell Jr. (49270624903).jpg

In 2019, Will E. Young, a former editor-in-chief of Liberty's Champion student newspaper, described the "culture of fear" at Liberty University, noting that the school "founded on principles of fundamental Christianity, is now a place that has zero tolerance for new questions and ideas. Those who harbor them must remain silent, or leave."{{Cite news |last=Young |first=Will E. |title=Inside Liberty University's 'culture of fear' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/07/24/inside-liberty-universitys-culture-fear-how-jerry-falwell-jr-silences-students-professors-who-reject-his-pro-trump-politics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728230509/https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/07/24/inside-liberty-universitys-culture-fear-how-jerry-falwell-jr-silences-students-professors-who-reject-his-pro-trump-politics/ |archive-date=July 28, 2019 |access-date=July 24, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} Young later argued that Liberty must address its racist past, beginning with Jerry Falwell Sr. and that it must include people of color and LGBTQ people as it makes decisions.{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Will E. |date=September 12, 2019 |title=Jerry Falwell Jr. Is Corrupt, but Liberty U's Problems Go Far Deeper |url=https://religiondispatches.org/jerry-falwell-jr-is-corrupt-but-liberty-us-problems-go-far-deeper/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813092453/https://religiondispatches.org/jerry-falwell-jr-is-corrupt-but-liberty-us-problems-go-far-deeper/ |archive-date=August 13, 2022 |access-date=August 7, 2022 |website=/religiondispatches.org |publisher=Religion Dispatches}}

In spring 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Liberty allowed some students to return to campus after spring break over the objections of the city's mayor and contrary to the practices of most U.S. colleges and universities.{{Cite news |last=Griffith |first=Janelle |date=March 24, 2020 |title=Coronavirus: Liberty University's Jerry Falwell Jr. welcomes students back amid pandemic |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/coronavirus-liberty-university-s-jerry-falwell-jr-welcomes-students-back-n1167581 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330060319/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/coronavirus-liberty-university-s-jerry-falwell-jr-welcomes-students-back-n1167581 |archive-date=March 30, 2020 |access-date=March 30, 2020 |work=NBC News}}{{Cite journal |last=Mangan |first=Katherine |date=March 30, 2020 |title=As Liberty University Reports First Covid-19 Case, Students and Parents Grapple With Conflicting Information |url=https://www.chronicle.com/article/As-Liberty-University-Reports/248382 |url-status=live |journal=The Chronicle of Higher Education |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401231003/https://www.chronicle.com/article/As-Liberty-University-Reports/248382/ |archive-date=April 1, 2020 |access-date=March 31, 2020}} When a ProPublica reporter and The New York Times photographer investigated why the university remained partially open, the university pushed the local district attorney to charge them with trespassing.{{Cite news |date=April 10, 2020 |title=Liberty University presses charges against journalists who covered campus' being open during outbreak |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/liberty-university-presses-charges-against-journalists-who-covered-campus-being-n1180731 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120184200/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/liberty-university-presses-charges-against-journalists-who-covered-campus-being-n1180731 |archive-date=November 20, 2020 |access-date=April 10, 2020 |work=NBC News |agency=The Associated Press}}

A few months later, then-president Falwell Jr. posted a picture of Virginia's then-governor Ralph Northam's black face in a tweet that many found racist. Some staff resigned in protest; some black students pursued transfers,{{Cite news |last=McCammon |first=Sarah |date=June 9, 2020 |title=Liberty University President Apologizes For Tweeting Racist Image |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/06/09/872926798/liberty-university-president-apologizes-for-tweeting-racist-image |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906031156/https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/06/09/872926798/liberty-university-president-apologizes-for-tweeting-racist-image |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=July 7, 2021 |work=NPR}} many contending that the tweet was a symptom of a larger problem at the university.{{Cite web |last1=Schor |first1=Elana |last2=Rankin |first2=Sarah |date=June 24, 2020 |title=Evangelical Liberty University rattled by its own racial reckoning |url=https://www.whsv.com/2020/06/24/evangelical-liberty-university-rattled-by-its-own-racial-reckoning/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184744/https://www.whsv.com/2020/06/24/evangelical-liberty-university-rattled-by-its-own-racial-reckoning/ |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |access-date=July 7, 2021 |website=whsv.com |publisher=WHSV}} In response to internal and external criticism, Liberty University officials hired Kelvin Edwards, an alumnus and former NFL player, to lead diversity initiatives on campus, then fired him three months later. Edwards sued the university, alleging a breach of contract.{{Cite news |date=July 7, 2021 |title=Ex-Liberty exec files lawsuit alleging racial discrimination |url=https://apnews.com/article/racial-injustice-race-and-ethnicity-discrimination-business-lawsuits-f175bdab457c0d36d07b270d7b778fd1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317232318/https://apnews.com/article/racial-injustice-race-and-ethnicity-discrimination-business-lawsuits-f175bdab457c0d36d07b270d7b778fd1 |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |access-date=March 17, 2022 |work=Associated Press}}{{Cite web |last=Beasley |first=Cynthia |date=July 6, 2021 |title=Former Liberty University Executive sues for racial discrimination, breach of contract |url=https://wset.com/news/local/former-liberty-university-executive-suing-lu-for-racial-discrimination-breach-of-contract |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706205413/https://wset.com/news/local/former-liberty-university-executive-suing-lu-for-racial-discrimination-breach-of-contract |archive-date=July 6, 2021 |access-date=July 7, 2021 |website=wset.com |publisher=WSET}}

In fall 2021, an outbreak of COVID-19 forced all classes on the Lynchburg campus to go online-only for two weeks. More than 400 students and 50 staff members tested positive for the virus.{{Cite web |last=Swaminathan |first=Aarthi |date=September 1, 2021 |title=Liberty University COVID-19 outbreak on campus worsens, vaccinations now offered |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/liberty-university-covid-outbreak-campus-202237686.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906031151/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/liberty-university-covid-outbreak-campus-202237686.html |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |website=finance.yahoo.com |publisher=Yahoo Finance}} The campus did not require COVID-19 vaccinations, masks, or social distancing. Outdoor events, including a convocation and football game, were scheduled to continue.{{Cite web |last=Office of Communications & Public Engagement |date=August 26, 2021 |title=Liberty University enacts temporary mitigation period to slow spread of COVID-19 |url=https://www.liberty.edu/news/2021/08/26/liberty-university-enacts-temporary-mitigation-period-to-slow-spread-of-covid-19/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903193936/https://www.liberty.edu/news/2021/08/26/liberty-university-enacts-temporary-mitigation-period-to-slow-spread-of-covid-19/ |archive-date=September 3, 2021 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |website=Liberty University}}{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Amanda |date=September 5, 2021 |title=Liberty University allows full capacity at first football game of the season |url=https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/local-news/lynchburg-central-virginia-news/liberty-university-allows-full-capacity-at-first-football-game-of-the-season/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905163118/https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/local-news/lynchburg-central-virginia-news/liberty-university-allows-full-capacity-at-first-football-game-of-the-season/ |archive-date=September 5, 2021 |access-date=September 5, 2021 |publisher=WFXR-TV}}

In July 2024, Liberty was sued for $300,000 by Ellenor Zinski, whose lawsuit alleges that the university violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 when it fired Zinski, who is transgender, since the university explicitly cited Zinski's gender as the reason for her firing.{{Cite web |last=Adamczeski |first=Ryan |date=July 30, 2024 |title=Trans woman sues Liberty University after being fired |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/liberty-university-transgender-lawsuit |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812123551/https://www.advocate.com/news/liberty-university-transgender-lawsuit |archive-date=August 12, 2024 |access-date=August 23, 2024 |website=The Advocate |language=en}} Liberty University contends that Zinski's contract was violated by knowingly breaking LU's policies that are based in their religious beliefs and thus protected by the Constitution.{{Cite web |last=Staver |first=Matt |date=October 12, 2024 |title=Liberty University set up by trans ex-employee, ACLU |url=https://www.christianpost.com/voices/liberty-university-set-up-by-trans-ex-employee-aclu.html |access-date=October 13, 2024 |website=The Christian Post |language=en}} Liberty University's doctrinal statement lists "denial of birth sex by self-identification with a different gender" is an example of "sinful acts prohibited by God."{{cite web|url=https://www.liberty.edu/about/doctrinal-statement/|title=Doctrinal Position|accessdate=October 18, 2024|publisher=Liberty University}} In February 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia denied Liberty's motion to dismiss the case. Liberty's motion to dismiss had been based on first amendment grounds, and parts of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-24 |title=Lawsuit against Liberty University for firing transgender employee to move forward {{!}} ACLU of Virginia |url=https://www.acluva.org/en/press-releases/lawsuit-against-liberty-university-firing-transgender-employee-move-forward |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=www.acluva.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-04-17 |title=Moving Forward: District Court Denies Religious University’s Motion to Dismiss Transgender Ex-Employee’s Title VII Suit - Jackson Lewis |url=https://www.jacksonlewis.com/insights/moving-forward-district-court-denies-religious-universitys-motion-dismiss-transgender-ex-employees-title-vii-suit |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=www.jacksonlewis.com |language=en}}

{{see also|Jerry Falwell Jr.}}

Falwell Jr. was placed on indefinite leave on August 7, 2020, after media began reporting allegations, including photographs, of personal and professional impropriety.{{Cite web |last1=Severns |first1=Maggie |last2=Ambrosino |first2=Brandon |date=August 20, 2020 |title=Falwell's use of yacht comes under scrutiny |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/20/falwells-yacht-use-under-scrutiny-399424 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108155602/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/20/falwells-yacht-use-under-scrutiny-399424 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |access-date=August 21, 2020 |website=Politico}}{{Cite news |last=Rankin |first=Sarah |date=August 7, 2020 |title=Liberty University's Falwell taking leave of absence |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/liberty-universitys-falwell-taking-leave-absence-72244277 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923055845/https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/liberty-universitys-falwell-taking-leave-absence-72244277 |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |access-date=August 7, 2020 |work=ABC News |agency=Associated Press}} A few weeks later, he resigned.{{Cite news |last1=Burke |first1=Daniel |last2=Schuman |first2=Melanie |date=August 24, 2020 |title=Jerry Falwell Jr. resigns as president of Liberty University amid a sex scandal |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/24/us/jerry-falwell-jr-resigns-liberty-university/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125095050/https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/24/us/jerry-falwell-jr-resigns-liberty-university/index.html |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |access-date=August 24, 2020 |publisher=CNN}}{{Cite news |last1=Svrluga |first1=Susan |last2=Bailey |first2=Sarah Pulliam |last3=Boorstein |first3=Michelle |date=August 24, 2020 |title=Jerry Falwell Jr. agreed to resign from Liberty University, and then reversed course, school says |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/08/24/jerry-falwell-jr-agrees-resign-liberty-university/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824215234/https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/08/24/jerry-falwell-jr-agrees-resign-liberty-university/ |archive-date=August 24, 2020 |access-date=August 25, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite news |last=Lovett |first=Ian |date=August 25, 2020 |title=Jerry Falwell Jr. says he's resigned from Liberty Univ. after sex scandal revelations, confusion over future |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/jerry-falwell-jr-says-hes-resigned-from-liberty-univ-after-sex-scandal-revelations-confusion-over-future |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213064203/https://www.foxnews.com/us/jerry-falwell-jr-says-hes-resigned-from-liberty-univ-after-sex-scandal-revelations-confusion-over-future |archive-date=December 13, 2020 |access-date=August 25, 2020 |work=Fox News}}{{Cite news |last=Lovett |first=Ian |date=August 25, 2020 |title=Jerry Falwell Jr. Says He Has Resigned as Liberty University President |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/jerry-falwell-jr-tangles-with-liberty-university-over-resignation-11598319341 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208093615/https://www.wsj.com/articles/jerry-falwell-jr-tangles-with-liberty-university-over-resignation-11598319341 |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |access-date=August 25, 2020 |work=The Wall Street Journal}} He claimed that he was entitled to $10.5 million in compensation from the university because he resigned without either admitting to wrongdoing or having formal accusations opened against him.{{Cite news |last=Burke |first=Daniel |title=Jerry Falwell Jr. to receive $10.5 million in compensation for resigning from Liberty University |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/26/us/jerry-falwell-jr-resignation-payment/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125190037/https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/26/us/jerry-falwell-jr-resignation-payment/index.html |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |access-date=August 31, 2020 |publisher=CNN}}

At the end of Falwell Jr.'s presidency in 2020, the university listed over $2.5 billion in assets. Following Falwell's resignation, Times Higher Education reported that Liberty University was "facing growing criticism over perceived resistance to diversity" following the departures of Edwards, board chair Allen McFarland, and pastor David Nasser.{{Cite web |last=Basken |first=Paul |date=July 20, 2021 |title=Liberty after Falwell 'struggling with diversity' |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/liberty-after-falwell-struggling-diversity |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906031214/https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/liberty-after-falwell-struggling-diversity |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=September 7, 2021 |website=timeshighereducation.com |publisher=Times Higher Education}} Jonathan Falwell, a son of Jerry Falwell Sr., replaced Nasser.

In late 2020, three reform efforts took place. A group of Liberty University alumni called Save71 was organized in an effort to reform the school. Three Liberty University athletes, Kennedi Williams, Dee Brown, and TreShaun Clark, organized a Black Lives Matter protest on campus, drawing a crowd of about two hundred people. Student leaders also created an online petition to force Liberty to shut down the school's think tank, the Falkirk Center, named after Jerry Falwell Jr. and conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The petition garnered about 400 signatures.{{Cite magazine |last=Stack |first=Megan K. |date=April 28, 2022 |title=Can Liberty University Be Sved? |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/annals-of-education/can-liberty-university-be-saved |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707084851/https://www.newyorker.com/news/annals-of-education/can-liberty-university-be-saved |archive-date=July 7, 2022 |access-date=July 11, 2022 |magazine=The New Yorker}}

In 2020, the university's former president Jerry Falwell Jr. was accused of nepotism, racism, and alcohol use contravening Baptist teaching on teetotalism.{{Cite web |last=Budryk |first=Zack |date=August 6, 2020 |title=GOP congressman calls for Falwell's resignation |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/510974-gop-congressman-calls-for-falwells-resignation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806234047/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/510974-gop-congressman-calls-for-falwells-resignation |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |access-date=August 7, 2020 |website=The Hill}} Falwell and his wife Rebecca were involved in a number of sex scandals.{{Cite web |last=Ambrosino |first=Brandon |date=September 10, 2019 |title=New Photos Emerge of Falwell at Miami Nightclub |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/09/10/jerry-falwell-nightclub-photos-miami-228054 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807203037/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/09/10/jerry-falwell-nightclub-photos-miami-228054 |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |access-date=August 7, 2020 |website=Politico Magazine}}{{Cite news |last1=Hanks |first1=Douglas |last2=Brown |first2=Julie K. |title=How cut-rate SoBe hostel launched Jerry Falwell Jr. 'pool boy' saga, naked picture hunt |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article231717833.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909191344/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article231717833.html |archive-date=September 9, 2019 |access-date=August 7, 2020 |work=Miami Herald}}{{Cite web |date=August 4, 2020 |title={{sic|Biz|zare|nolink=y|expecting=Bizarre}} Jerry Falwell Jr. Yacht Pictures were from 'Trailer Park Boys' Themed Party |url=https://pulpitandpen.org/2020/08/04/bizzare-jerry-falwell-jr-yacht-pictures-were-from-trailer-park-boys-themed-party/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807234005/https://pulpitandpen.org/2020/08/04/bizzare-jerry-falwell-jr-yacht-pictures-were-from-trailer-park-boys-themed-party/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |access-date=August 7, 2020 |website=Pulpit & Pen News}} {{cite web |date=August 4, 2020 |title=Photo appears to show Jerry Falwell Jr. with zipper down and arm around a woman |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/04/jerry-falwell-photo-backlash-391348 |access-date=August 7, 2020 |website=Politico |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806112652/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/04/jerry-falwell-photo-backlash-391348 |url-status=live }} These eventually led to his resignation on August 24, 2020. The following year, the university sued Falwell Jr. for $40 million in damages for breach of contract and violation of fiduciary duty.{{Cite news |last=Graham |first=Ruth |date=April 16, 2021 |title=Liberty University Sues Jerry Falwell Jr., Alleging Deception |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/16/us/jerry-falwell-jr-liberty-university-lawsuit.html |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/16/us/jerry-falwell-jr-liberty-university-lawsuit.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |access-date=April 24, 2021 |work=The New York Times}}{{cbignore}} In the same month, the Liberty University board of trustees replaced acting chairman Allen McFarland, the first African American board chair, with Tim Lee, "a pro-Trump pastor".{{Cite web |last=SEVERNS |first=MAGGIE |date=June 2021 |title=An Evangelical Battle of the Generations: To Embrace Trump or Not? |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/06/01/liberty-university-evangelical-jerry-falwell-donald-trump-491319 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308071945/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/06/01/liberty-university-evangelical-jerry-falwell-donald-trump-491319 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |website=politico.com |publisher=Politico}} In fall 2024, Falwell's ban on attending on-campus events was rescinded, and he attended that year's homecoming game.{{Cite web |last=Quintana |first=Chris |title=Liberty to pay Jerry Falwell Jr. $15 million settlement after high-profile sex scandal |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2025/05/20/liberty-university-jerry-falwell-jr-settlement-sex-scandal/83675753007/ |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}

In May 2025, it was reported that Liberty had paid Falwell Jr. about $15 million to settle all litigation between Liberty and Falwell.

In July 2021, the university was sued by twelve anonymous women, including two employees, who alleged that the university created an environment that increased the likelihood of sexual assault and rape in violation of federal Title IX law. The lawsuit alleged that the school's student honor code makes it difficult to report sexual violence because it does not clearly shield students; that the university had a tacit policy that condoned sexual violence, especially by male student athletes, by weighing a denial more heavily than an allegation; and that the school retaliates against women who report sexual violence. In one of the alleged incidents, a 15-year-old who was allegedly attacked by Jesse Matthew (Matthew later confessed to murdering Hannah Graham), was told she would be criminally charged with filing a false report, before they began an "investigation" into her claim. The investigation allegedly only consisted of a demand that she strip and submit to being photographed naked by the chief of police—which she refused to do. She later was not taken to the hospital but the police later pestered her until she agreed to be photographed naked by a female debate coach. In a written response to the lawsuit, Liberty University officials said "The allegations are deeply troubling, if they turn out to be true", and said that would look into each allegation detailed in the lawsuit.{{Cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Kay |last2=Silverman |first2=Hollie |date=July 21, 2021 |title=Liberty University sued by 12 women claiming school policies made sexual assault and rape more likely |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/21/us/liberty-university-sexual-assault-lawsuit/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725185249/https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/21/us/liberty-university-sexual-assault-lawsuit/index.html |archive-date=July 25, 2021 |access-date=July 25, 2021 |publisher=CNN}}{{Cite news |last=Svrluga |first=Susan |date=July 20, 2021 |title=Lawsuit claims Liberty University mishandled sexual assault claims |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/07/20/lawsuit-claims-liberty-university-mishandled-sexual-assault-claims/ |access-date=July 25, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286}}{{Cite news |last=Maye |first=Fran |date=July 22, 2021 |title=West Chester law firm gets high-profile sex case at Liberty University |url=https://www.dailylocal.com/local-news/west-chester-law-firm-gets-high-profile-sex-case-at-liberty-university/article_25b21984-eada-11eb-876b-53a9320ac741.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725190104/https://www.dailylocal.com/local-news/west-chester-law-firm-gets-high-profile-sex-case-at-liberty-university/article_25b21984-eada-11eb-876b-53a9320ac741.html |archive-date=July 25, 2021 |access-date=July 25, 2021 |work=Daily Local News}} Ten of the women settled in a confidential agreement.{{Cite news |last=Quintana |first=Chris |date=November 12, 2023 |title=Christian college admin was accused of sexual misconduct for over a decade. He kept his job. |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2023/11/22/liberty-administrator-keith-anderson-education-department/71668989007/ |access-date=January 20, 2024 |work=USA Today}}

Also in July 2021, Liberty University diversity retention officer LeeQuan McLaurin, a black gay man, filed a discrimination lawsuit against the school, claiming that his supervisor's view that Christianity condemns homosexuality forced him to quit.{{Cite web |last=Dorrian |first=Patrick |date=July 15, 2021 |title=Black Gay Liberty University Diversity Director Alleges Job Bias |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/black-gay-liberty-university-diversity-director-alleges-job-bias?context=article-related |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805180654/https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/black-gay-liberty-university-diversity-director-alleges-job-bias?context=article-related |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |access-date=August 5, 2022 |website=Bloomberg Law}}

An October 2021, a ProPublica investigative report found that Liberty University discouraged and dismissed students coming forward about sexual assault; former students said they were threatened with punishment after coming forward with accusations of sexual assault. Multiple witnesses said school officials manipulated their statements in support of a sexual assault victims to undercut the victims' accounts, eventually expelling one such witness. Additionally, the school neglected to report every case to the Title IX office or to inform students of their option of reporting incidents to law enforcement. Sexual assault victims shared accounts of university staff erroneously telling them that speaking to law enforcement would compromise a Title IX investigation and of being made to sign documents agreeing not to report their sexual assault to the police. According to a Liberty alumna who spoke to ProPublica, after she reported her rape to the university's Title IX office, a school official listed the potential infractions she could be disciplined for in the incident, including having premarital sex.{{Cite web |last=Dreyfus |first=Hannah |date=October 24, 2021 |others=Photography by Sarah Blesener |title='The Liberty Way': How Liberty University Discourages and Dismisses Students' Reports of Sexual Assaults |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/the-liberty-way-how-liberty-university-discourages-and-dismisses-students-reports-of-sexual-assaults |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025045644/https://www.propublica.org/article/the-liberty-way-how-liberty-university-discourages-and-dismisses-students-reports-of-sexual-assaults |archive-date=October 25, 2021 |access-date=October 25, 2021 |website=ProPublica}} Politico also reported that a former Liberty University official, Scott Lamb, also accused Liberty University of violating its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. Politico had previously reported that the school had invested in "Republican causes and efforts to promote the Trump administration".{{Cite web |last1=Stratford |first1=Michael |last2=Ambrosino |first2=Brandon |date=October 25, 2021 |title=Former Liberty U official claims he was fired for raising concerns about sexual assault cases |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/10/25/liberty-university-fired-sexual-assault-517105 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906031309/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/10/25/liberty-university-fired-sexual-assault-517105 |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=politico.com |publisher=Politico}} Lamb told ProPublica that he was fired on October 6, 2021, for telling school officials about staff members' failure to report sexual assaults appropriately. He characterized the tendency of university leaders to ignore sexual assault reports once they made their way up the chain of command as "a conspiracy of silence".

In fall 2023, a preliminary report by the U.S. Department of Education alleged that school officials had failed to report campus crime and safety statistics, had destroyed evidence of assaults, and had retaliated against at least one employee who raised concerns about violations of the Clery Act, the federal law that requires such disclosures by schools that receive federal funding. Crimes the report finds were covered up include sexual assault, stalking, and intimate partner violence. Specific acts by Liberty employees detailed in the report include tasking IT with wiping specific hard drives, failing to secure and potentially shredding incident reports, failing to log or follow up on a police report alleging a rape by an unnamed former university president, re-promoting an employee who was demoted after accusations of drugging and assaulting a colleague, and allowing a football player to remain on the team from 2018 to 2022 despite accusations of rape and of stalking a university employee during that time.{{Cite news |last=Quintana |first=Chris |date=October 3, 2023 |title=Feds say Liberty University created 'fear of reprisal' for sexual violence survivors |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2023/10/03/liberty-university-education-department-investigation/70964425007/ |access-date=January 20, 2024 |work=USA Today}} The report states that the university's culture of "substantially and systematically underreported" crime statistics might trace back as far to 1992.{{Cite news |last=Vazquez |first=Michael |date=January 12, 2024 |title=The 2 Liberty Universities |url=https://www.chronicle.com/article/the-2-liberty-universities?emailConfirmed=true&email=jessmstephens%40gmail.com&success=false&bc_nonce=frt4xx7265oq72fwkbm1yo |access-date=January 20, 2024 |work=The Chronicle}} Liberty faces a fine of up to $37.5 million for Clery Act violations. An alumna who says Liberty pressured her to retract a report of sexual assault told USA Today of potential fines, "A little fine is not going to make them change their ways. They can make back any amount of money with a snap of fingers".

In March 2024, Liberty University was fined $14 million for the Clery Act violations. As described by NPR, the investigators' final 105-page report documents "serious, persistent, and systemic violations" by officials who "discouraged students from reporting crimes, did not adequately respond to incidents of sexual violence, failed to tell the campus about criminal activities or dangerous situations (such as gas leaks), and did not maintain an accurate or complete list of crimes".{{Cite news |last=Nadworny |first=Elissa |date=March 5, 2024 |title=Liberty University fined $14 million for federal crime reporting violations |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/03/05/1236019397/liberty-university-clery-act-safety-crime |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306083816/https://www.npr.org/2024/03/05/1236019397/liberty-university-clery-act-safety-crime |archive-date=March 6, 2024 |access-date=March 6, 2024 |work=NPR}} Liberty was placed on Federal monitoring until April 2026.

{{Main|List of Liberty University people}}

File:Shannon Bream crop.jpg|Shannon Bream
Fox News host

File:William Byron Driver Introductions Las Vegas 2024.jpg|William Byron
NASCAR driver

File:Costin 2018.jpg|Dondi E. Costin
President of Liberty University

File:2009 NCAA Freshman of the Year Seth Curry (cropped).jpg|Seth Curry,
NBA point guard

File:Nick Foles Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LII Victory Parade (40140602902).jpg|Nick Foles
NFL quarterback

File:Bob Good 117th U.S Congress.jpg|Bob Good
U.S. Representative for Virginia's 5th congressional district

File:Kevin Grantham.JPG|Kevin Grantham
Former president of the Colorado Senate

File:Senator Pete Kelly.jpg|Pete Kelly
Former president of the Alaska Senate

File:Vic Mignogna by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg|Vic Mignogna
Anime voice actor

Rep. Troy Nehls official photo.jpg|Troy Nehls
U.S. Representative for Texas's 22nd congressional district

File:Tony Perkins 1.jpg|Tony Perkins
President of the Family Research Council

File:Samantha Steele at Iowa State.jpg|Samantha Ponder
Sportscaster

File:Adrian Smith, official 110th Congress photo portrait.jpg|Adrian Smith
U.S. Representative for {{ushr|NE|3}}

File:Phil Snyder.jpg|Phil Snyder
Animated voice actor and comedian

File:Jackie Walorski, official portrait, 113th Congress.jpg|Jackie Walorski
U.S. Representative for Indiana's 2nd congressional district

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.oxfordscholarship.com/view/10.1093/oso/9780190665623.001.0001/oso-9780190665623 Laats, Adam. 2018. Fundamentalist U. Oxford University Press.]
• {{Cite news |last=Real |first=Jere |date=August 4, 1981 |title=Falwell U: The Moral Majority's Higher Education |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_boston-phoenix_1981-08-04_10_31/mode/1up |access-date=April 11, 2024 |work=The Boston Phoenix}}

{{Commons category|Liberty University}}

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