Explore the Vast Campus of Virginia’s Largest College

The Commonwealth of Virginia maintains a certain elegance through centuries of change. As colonists initially settled into the region, they spent decades to found different colleges, allowing them to educate new Virginians. Even with institutions that date back hundreds of years, no campus is as large as an evangelical liberal arts institution in Lynchburg.

The largest college campus in Virginia is Liberty University, which has 7,000 total acres. Tucked in the Lynchburg community, Liberty University has 15 colleges and schools. Let’s look at this massive school’s vast campus and surrounding area.

Demographic Data on Liberty University

• Student population: 94,709 students
• Acceptance rate: 50%
• Retention rate: 81%
• Graduation rate: 54%
• Minimum SAT score: 1040
• Minimum ACT score: 21

Liberty University offers in-person and online enrollment for attendees. A hybrid collaboration of the two options is also available, though not as many students use it.

Liberty University Location – Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, and it is in good company with several other colleges and universities, like Randolph College and the University of Lynchburg. However, these schools don’t have nearly the same acreage and student population that Liberty University has. The city has centuries of history to back it up, making it ideal for anyone who wants to attend college in Virginia.

The local Lynchburg population is 261,593 residents, and it is known for its incredible focus on education and supporting the community. Some of the nearby cities include Danville and Roanoke. It is 113 miles away from Virginia’s capital (Richmond), and it is 177 miles from the Virginia state line.

Locals enjoy the humid subtropical climate of Lynchburg, giving students a humid summer and cool winter to look forward to.

Lynchburg Neighborhoods and Housing

Lynchburg’s moniker is Hill City because of the surrounding neighborhoods with “hill” in their name, including College Hill and Court House Hill. College Hill is the largest among the 7, making it the home to the Anne Spencer House and the Garden Museum.

The median home price in Lynchburg is about $285,000. Living in Lynchburg is 10% cheaper than living in other cities in Virginia, making it affordable for new graduates, retirees, and everyone in between.

Lynchburg Food and Cuisine

If you decide to attend or visit Liberty University, the food scene alone is enough to keep you entertained outside of classes. The influences on this cuisine come from local favorites and international staples. As more people flock to this thriving city, professional chefs make it the go-to spot for everything from pub food to bakeries. Some of the favorite restaurants among locals include the Depot Grille and Skyline Grille.

Lynchburg Things to Do

When you aren’t immersed in your studies, Lynchburg offers educational opportunities to learn outside of the classroom. Art and culture are major focuses in Lynchburg, which is why the James River Arts & Culture District is a must. With a constant flow of new ideas, local artists and organizations help to build the community with a vibrant culture. For a peek at local and international artists, check out the exhibits at Amazement Square or Riverviews Artspace.

If you want to learn more about local history, Lynchburg’s American Civil War Museum or the Natural Bridge State Park are nearby. Virginia was one of the first colonies in the New World, and the centuries of building this nation started here. If you want to see a piece of presidential history, take a drive to visit Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest.

Liberty University: Comparing Other Virginia Campuses by Acreage

The notable Liberty University has the most students and most acreage of any university, college, or other higher-learning institution. Here’s how it compares to others.

• Liberty University (Lynchburg): 7,000 acres
• Virginia Tech (Blacksburg): 2,600 acres
• University of Virginia-Main Campus (Charlottesville): 1,682 acres
• William and Mary (Williamsburg): 1,200 acres
• George Mason University (Washington, DC): 817 acres
• James Madison University (Harrisonburg): 721 acres
• Shenandoah University (Winchester): 359.5 acres
• Christopher Newport University (Newport News): 260 acres
• Old Dominion University (Norfolk): 251 acres
• Virginia State University (Petersburg): 231 acres
• Radford University (Radford): 211 acres
• Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond): 198 acres
• Longwood University (Farmville): 154 acres
• Norfolk State University (Norfolk): 134 acres
• Regent University (Virginia Beach): 70 acres

Campus Life at Liberty University

If you want a campus that welcomes you with open arms, Liberty University’s inclusiveness begs to welcome everyone. With on-campus living as an option, immersing yourself in the curriculum is easy, though support is available to students who want to live off-campus or attend virtually. If you choose to be a resident at the University during the school year, take a tour to get familiar with the massive campus first.

Each of the resident halls has at least one Resident Assistant and access to multiple Resident Shepherds and Community Group Leaders. The role of these assistants and leaders is to help students with their mental, spiritual, and physical safety. They all have crisis response training to best support students in their hour of need.

The halls are separated by biological gender, ensuring the safety of students. These dorms are some of the safest areas for students to live while they attend college. According to Niche.com, it is in the top 10% of all schools in the United States.

Accreditation

Liberty University is an accredited school. It received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, which means that they have the authority to issue degrees, ranging from an associate degree to a doctorate.

Along with this accreditation, the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia and the Association of Christian Schools International count the university as a member.

Academics

If you want to attend online or in person, the undergraduate and graduate degrees offered at Liberty University include over 700 different programs. Each opportunity comes with hands-on learning and flexible options when studying. The teachers at Liberty University have experience in the subjects they teach, paired with their expert academic support.

Some of the available fields of study include:

• Aeronautics
• Applied Studies & Academic Success
• Arts & Sciences
• Behavioral Sciences
• Business
• Communication & the Arts
• Divinity
• Education
• Engineering
• Health Sciences
• Government
• Law
• Music
• Nursing
• Osteopathic Medicine

Athletics

With many academic opportunities, students at Liberty University have an incredible athletics program available to them as well. With a major emphasis on athletics from founding the institution, check out any of the NCAA Division I athletic teams. Men have the opportunity to participate in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, and track & field. Women, on the other hand, choose from basketball, cross country, soccer, tennis, and track & field as well. They also have access to field hockey, lacrosse, softball, swimming & diving, and volleyball.

The official website for the Liberty Flames has everything you need to know to join and participate in the NCAA sports. However, they also host over 40 club sports teams and 20 intramural sports if you want to have more leisure time during activities. Along with the activities above, students can sign up for other athletic activities, like wrestling, figure skating, gymnastics, and archery.

As the home of the Liberty Flames, students show their support for their teams at their merchandise shop. If you want to contribute to the student body, buying one of the Liberty license plates contributes directly to their scholarship program.

Extracurricular Activities and Recreation

While the athletic scene gets tons of attention at Liberty University, they also offer over 100 extracurricular clubs to join. Each of these clubs hosts events throughout the year, giving students more options as they embark on higher learning. Some of the popular clubs include the Forensic Science Club and Liberty Students for Life.

Throughout the year, various clubs and groups host extracurricular events that let students relax when not fully engaged in class or assignments. Some of the semester’s events for the Fall include a bingo night, a video game tournament, and a trip to the local ice-skating rink. Students need to sign up ahead of many of these events to get a realistic headcount of participants.

If you happen to hang around campus through the weekend, every student has access to the LaHaye Recreation & Fitness Center. With over 162,000 square feet, this fitness center is only open to students, faculty, and staff at Liberty University. They get exclusive access to activities like swimming, group exercise, and athletic training. If you want a different challenge, the Montview Bowling Alley and the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre offer an array of other activities on campus.

Housing Qualifications

If you or a loved one wants to stay in one of the dorms at Liberty University, they have to meet certain requirements. This type of housing requires that unmarried students under the age of 21 stay on campus while they attend the university. Students are only eligible for this housing if they are currently enrolled in a residential program and go to class. Violating either of these terms disqualifies them from living on campus.

Students cannot live in the dorm rooms on campus if they are married or at least 25 years old. The dorm assignments are first-come, first-served, so the university encourages students to act quickly when they register.

If the potential student wants to live off campus, they must live with a parent or sibling over 21 years old while in attendance. However, this exception is only an option for people who follow the current requirements in the student handbook. Anyone with 18+ reprimands puts themselves at risk of being forced to live on campus instead.

Religion

Liberty University is an evangelical school that gives Christian students access to ministry and mission opportunities. Students receive encouragement from teachers and other students to deepen their spiritual relationships. Some of the opportunities that users have for their ministry include weekly worship services, local volunteer projects, and trips around the world in the name of mission work.

Unlike other colleges, Liberty University hosts its religious services on Wednesday nights. This powerful service features inspirational speakers at the institution. If you want to join the worship service, contact the Worship Collective.

Animals to Watch For Near Liberty University

Since the forest area lies just outside of Liberty University, most of the local wildlife consists of pests like squirrels, rodents, and groundhogs. Mice and rats tend to be active throughout the year, though the winter months bring a variety of raccoons and small mammals closer to areas with heat. Many of the critters you see near Liberty University are no different than you’d find in any busy college, but going on a hike in one of the mountain areas might put you face to face with more aggressive animals.

Virginia’s most common animal is the white-tailed deer. Their preferred habitats are heavily forested with plenty of vegetation, explaining what makes Virginia so welcoming for them. If you come up against any wild animal near the university, keep your distance.

Liberty University’s Natural Flora: Exploring Campus Plant Life

Like the rest of Virginia, the lushness of this landscape extends to Liberty University’s campuses. Students unwind from their studies at the Hydaway Outdoor Center to see what campus life brings from the great outdoors. With camping, fishing, and kayaking, this center offers plenty to do about 5 miles from the main campus. Even if you aren’t sure where to go, the center offers guided walks and trail races to get to know the area.