Liberty University Tuition and Fees: A Comprehensive Guide

Liberty University, committed to providing an accessible and empowering educational experience, offers a variety of programs and resources to help students manage the costs of their education. Student Financial Services (SFS) aims to empower students to make informed decisions regarding funding their Liberty University education by providing unrivaled access to institutional resources, federal and state aid, and military benefits. Understanding the different tuition rates, fees, and payment options is crucial for prospective and current students. This guide provides a detailed overview of Liberty University's tuition structure, associated fees, and available financial resources.

Tuition Overview

Liberty University's tuition is $24,600, which is less expensive than the national average tuition cost of $47,890. These figures typically include both tuition and fees, often referred to as the sticker price. It's important to note that fees can vary by institution and may cover various services such as library access, student gym facilities, student centers, technology resources, and campus health centers. When comparing the costs of different institutions, it's essential to consider both the total cost and the net price. The total cost includes the sticker price, as well as expenses for food and housing, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. At Liberty University, the total cost is $46,910.

Tuition Rates for Different Programs

Tuition rates at Liberty University vary depending on the program of study. Here's a breakdown of tuition rates for different programs:

Doctoral Programs

Doctoral program tuition rates are structured to accommodate various student statuses, including full-time, part-time, and military.

General Doctoral Tuition: Beginning Spring 2022, students pay a flat rate of $1,200 per credit hour. Those who began coursework in the Fall 2021 term or earlier are grandfathered into the previous full-time/part-time tuition rate. If a student breaks enrollment or graduates, they will be updated to the new flat tuition rate when they re-enroll. It is important to note that the flat rate means that new students in these programs will not be eligible for the military discount.

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Doctoral Military Tuition: A reduced tuition rate of $375 per credit hour is available to active service members, eligible veterans, and spouses who are new to an eligible doctoral program. DoD employees are not eligible for the discounted tuition rate at the doctoral level. This rate applies to the Education Doctoral (Ed.D. and Ed.S.) programs and specific Doctoral Certificate programs, including the Executive Certificate in Curriculum and Instruction, Executive Certificate in Higher Education Administration, and Executive Certificate in School Administration and Supervision. Military students pursuing other doctorate programs will be charged the regular (part-time/full-time) doctorate tuition rates. Students enrolled in Doctorate of Ministry: Pastoral Counseling will be assessed the $375 military rate for 1 to 6.99 credit hours, or over 15 credit hours. Students enrolled in this program for 7 to 15 credit hours will be assessed a military block rate of $2,800.
Military Graduate to Doctoral Tuition: Students who complete a graduate degree through Liberty - including the nested 21-hour advanced/executive certificates - and continue their studies into specific doctoral programs within 2 academic years of graduation will receive a reduced tuition rate of just $375 per credit hour. The $375 tuition rate only applies to active service members, eligible veterans, and spouses who are new to an eligible doctoral program.

Graduate Programs

Graduate tuition rates also vary, with specific rates for programs within the Rawlings School of Divinity and other post-graduate programs.

*Masters of Theology (Th.M.) Post-Graduate programs will be assessed at the same rates as Graduate students in the Rawlings School of Divinity, which is $410 for less than 9 or more than 15 credit hours, and a block rate of $2,850 for 9-15 credit hours. The Ed.D. in Christian Leadership (DECL-EDD-D) does not qualify for the School of Divinity block or part-time rates. Students in this program are charged the standard full-time and part-time rates for online Doctoral programs. *

Washington Fellowship Program

Students enrolled in the Washington Fellowship Program for the Fall or Spring who are not registered full-time will be assessed the part-time rate of $845 per credit hour. In addition, students will be assessed $845 per credit hour for all registration that exceeds the block rate.

Registered Nurse-Bachelor of Science in Nursing-Master of Science in Nursing (R.N.-B.S.N.-M.S.N.)

Students enrolled in the R.N.-B.S.N.-M.S.N. program taking 9-15 credit hours receives a block rate of $2,850. Less than 9 credit hours, or more than 15 credit hours will be assessed at the part-time rate of $410. The B.S.N.-M.S.N. Dual Degree program is formatted in a way in which students enrolled specifically in this program will earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing concurrently. This program will no longer be accepting new enrollees beginning in Fall 2018.

Additional Fees

In addition to tuition, students at Liberty University are responsible for various fees that support different aspects of campus life and academic resources.

Activity Fee: All resident students are required to pay an activity fee each semester (Fall and Spring). This fee provides access to Liberty University activities, admission to athletic events, access to the LaHaye Student Union recreational facilities, and helps to offset the cost of other resources dedicated to student activities. Regardless of residence status, all students are subject to this fee.
Health Fee: All residential students are required to pay a health fee each semester (Fall and Spring). Services covered by the health fee can be reviewed on the LU Student Health webpage. This fee is not prorated for part-time students. Liberty University requires students to be immunized according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines before classes begin each semester. Students who do not submit documentation of immunizations and medical history will have a health records late fee added to their student account.
School of Divinity Activity Fee: All School of Divinity students are required to pay the School of Divinity Activity Fee each semester to help offset the cost of the School of Divinity’s Student Government and social events sponsored on behalf of School of Divinity students. Regardless of residence status, all School of Divinity students are subject to this fee.

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Law School Activity Fee: All Law School students are required to pay the Law School Activity Fee each semester to help offset the cost of the …
Housing Fee: An eligible student living in University housing is required to pay the applicable housing fee each semester depending on location and amenities as outlined in the housing policy. If a student moves into the residence hall and then withdraws or is allowed to move off campus at any point during the academic year, a portion of the housing fee may be prorated back to the student’s account based on the date that the student removes items from the residence hall (see regulations in the Student Affairs section of this publication). In the Spring semester, if a student does not remove items from the previous semester and withdraws, the student may be charged a prorated amount of the housing fee based on the date of removal of items.
Dining Fee: Any student living in University housing is required to pay applicable dining fees each semester. The fee covers the selected resident dining plan in the University dining hall and other dining locations on campus. This requirement allows students to focus on academics and extracurricular activities rather than basic needs such as food and shelter. The required dining plan for students living in University housing promotes healthy living, social engagement, and the residential community experience.
Course-Related Fees: The student is responsible for paying applicable course fees, online content fees (including e-Books), material fees, inclusive access fees, and fees charged for special elective-type courses by organizations other than the University. A list of these fees is published on the Student Financial Services Course Fees webpage. The inclusive access fee includes electronic access to required course content and direct access to Canvas at any time and on any device. If applicable, the fee may cover the cost of printed course materials for Online courses. Beginning with the 2024-2025 year, all residential undergraduate student-athletes are assessed a flat fee for course-related fees (in the fall and spring semesters only). The flat fee will replace fees such as online content fees, material fees, and inclusive access fees. The goal of this is to standardize charges so that semester-over-semester changes to charges are minimized.
Computer Assessment Fee: All new resident students, both freshman and college transfer students, are required to take a computer assessment. Students have the option to take assessments in English and Math.
Degree Completion Application Fee: All graduating students must complete a degree completion application through their ASIST account. A $100 degree completion application fee is automatically assessed when the application is processed, not upon degree conferral.
Certificate Completion Application Fee: A certificate completion application fee is automatically assessed by the Registrar’s Office near the time of the Certificate Completion Application, not certificate conferral.

Financial Check-In (FCI)

Financial Check-In (FCI) is Liberty University’s online system that secures financial arrangements with the University for direct charges like tuition and fees, to include prior, current, and/or future balances. All resident students are required to complete FCI each semester before attending a class or arriving on campus. Current deadlines, procedures, and payment options can be viewed on the Student Financial Services webpage. Students who do not complete FCI by the published deadline are subject to having their courses and housing (if applicable) dropped and will be assessed a late FCI fee of $150. Once a student completes FCI, all payments made prior to the beginning of the semester are held as a deposit to secure the student’s class schedule, institutional grants or scholarships, and campus housing, as applicable. Students enrolled in a residential program will be charged residential tuition and fee charges, regardless of whether they enroll in online or residential courses. If a new student decides not to attend and drops their course(s), they should contact the Admissions Office to request a refund of the initial payments (excluding payments covering non-refundable fees). Payments on a student’s account can be made by check, ACH, money order, cashier’s check, credit/debit card, online via the student’s ASIST account, or through Liberty's International payment portal (for international students only). bank accounts, money markets, trusts, home equity loans or savings accounts. Cash payments are received at Cashiering & Treasury Services located in the Student Service Center in Green Hall. A student’s account must be paid in full prior to registering for any future courses. When a student completes FCI for a future term and then becomes delinquent in the current term, or if financial aid on the account is removed or reduced due to a change of eligibility, the resulting balance must be resolved before future registration.

Payment Options

Liberty University offers multiple payment options to accommodate students' diverse financial situations.

Online Payments: Payments can be made online via the student’s ASIST account or through Liberty's International payment portal (for international students only).
Check, Money Order, and Cashier's Check: Payments via check, money order, or cashier's check can be mailed to the university.
Credit/Debit Card: Payments can be made using a credit or debit card online or in person.
Cash: Cash payments are received at Cashiering & Treasury Services located in the Student Service Center in Green Hall.
Payment Plans: The University may offer a student the option of paying remaining balances through a monthly payment plan as an alternative to paying in full. Payment plan options will vary depending upon when Financial Check-In is completed. Payment plans are interest-free and include a non-refundable $50 participation fee. The participation fee is factored into the student’s total balance and is charged for every semester that a student participates in a payment plan. Special payment plans with varying fees may be offered to students with delinquent balances. Payment plans are scheduled with automatic monthly drafts. The initial payment is due immediately upon acceptance of the payment plan, and the remaining installments are automatically processed on the scheduled draft date from the established checking account or debit/credit card. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain current and valid bank or credit card information on their account. Under the payment plan agreement, the student must ensure that the account has sufficient funds at the time of the scheduled drafts. When using a debit/credit card, the student must check with the bank or credit card company that the daily spending limit can accommodate the draft amount. The bank or credit card account must be from an institution that participates in automatic draft programs. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all financial aid estimates are reflected correctly prior to the processing of the first draft. If charges or payments are added, removed, or adjusted after the payment plan is in place, resulting in an increase or decrease in the remaining balance, it is the responsibility of the student to review and make adjustments to the payment plan. Any payment(s) made outside of the payment plan will not prevent the next scheduled draft from being processed. The student may confirm any changes by recompleting FCI. The system will calculate and display new draft amounts in FCI, and once completed, the FCI receipt page will display the updated draft amount(s). If the student fails to recomplete FCI to confirm the adjusted drafts, the previously confirmed draft amount(s) will be processed, and the student is responsible for paying any remaining balance. While it remains the responsibility of the student to manage adjustments to the payment plan, Liberty University reserves the right to adjust a payment plan down as necessary. The University also reserves the right to cancel/terminate a payment plan for any reason and/or remove a student from a financially checked-in status.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Liberty University offers various forms of financial aid, including need-based and merit-based scholarships and grants. The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at Liberty University was $14,770. Additionally, 70% of first-year students received need-based financial aid in fall 2022. The average non-need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at Liberty University - excluding any athletic scholarships, if applicable - was $8,929. Liberty University met 57% of its students’ financial aid need.

Need-Based Aid: Need-based scholarships and grants take a student’s financial status into account. The average need-based self-help aid awarded to first-year students was $3,553. Need-based self-help aid includes federal loans and work-study.
Merit-Based Aid: Merit-based aid, also called non-need-based aid, is awarded for a specific talent or academic achievement.

Student Loans and Debt

Understanding student loan debt is crucial for financial planning. At Liberty University, the median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is $24,500. The median monthly federal loan payment (if it were repaid over 10 years at 5.05% interest) for student federal loan borrowers who graduated is $260. Additionally, 14% of graduating students at Liberty University took out private loans. Students with private loans had an average of $35,037 in private loan debt at graduation.

Flames Pass and Flames Cash

The Flames Pass is the official Liberty University ID card used for meal plans, Flames Cash, campus events and recreation, authorized building entry, student discounts, and other activities and services. Once Financial Check-In (FCI) is completed, residential students may obtain a mobile version of the Flames Pass by submitting a photo online and adding the pass to their mobile wallet through the Transact eAccounts app. Students who do not have compatible devices may obtain a physical Flames Pass by visiting the ID & Campus Services Office. Flames Cash is the declining balance account accessed through the Flames Pass. Funds added via Financial Check-In are available approximately six weeks prior to the start of a term. Funds added online and in person are available immediately. These funds are accepted at participating on- and off-campus merchants.

Book Vouchers and Course Materials

Tuition and fees may not cover the cost of all course materials. Costs will vary according to the student’s course of study. The student should purchase any materials that are not covered after registration but prior to the sub-term start date (course activation). Resident students using financial aid or payment plans can pay for books and supplies by requesting a book voucher advance for use at the on-campus bookstore. To estimate the amount needed for the book voucher, contact the Liberty University Campus Bookstore. Students can add funds to a book voucher through FCI. Online graduate students using financial aid or payment plans can pay for books and supplies by requesting a book voucher advance for use at BNC Virtual. To estimate the amount needed for the book voucher, students should contact BNC Virtual. Students can add funds to a book voucher through FCI, which is transferred to BNC Virtual for the student to use.

Fee Appeal Policy

Students may appeal a late Financial Check-In (FCI) Fee, returned payment fee, or activity fee (the appeal of an activity fee is only applicable to resident students) by submitting a written appeal online to the Student Accounts Office within 30 business days of the billing/notification. The student may fill out the fee appeal form and must attach all supporting documentation. The student will receive a response within 7 days of receipt of the appeal. If a student would like to appeal any other charge, they may submit a written appeal to the department that assessed the charge.

Refund Policy for Enrolled Students

Enrolled qualified students can receive a refund from their student account once all financial obligations have been met if a credit balance remains. FCI provides students with two credit-management options: By Selecting "Don't send me a refund," a student authorizes Liberty University to hold a Title IV credit balance for a future term. By Selecting "Send me a refund," a student authorizes Liberty University to release a Title IV refund to the student (in all cases except Parent PLUS loan refunds). Credit from Title IV must be refunded via a student's selected refund preference. Department of Education in the case of federal student loans. Credit balances will ONLY be refunded to the student. The student must select a refund preference according to instructions provided by BankMobile Disbursements. Title IV Refunds (Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan, Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant [FSEOG], etc.) Within the FCI process, students authorize the handling of a credit balance on their student account. The funds may be held throughout the academic year and apply to account balances, or students can authorize the credit balance to be refunded. Please note that certain finance charges cannot be paid for by Title IV aid, and students with these charges may be required to pay them using an alternative method. Liberty University encourages students to borrow the minimum amount of loans needed to cover direct charges. Students who wish to reduce their loans to eliminate a credit balance to refund may do so by completing a Federal Direct Student Loan Change Request Form in their ASIST accounts. Title IV aid, in addition to institutional and State aid, is disbursed 21 days after the student becomes eligible. Title IV refunds begin processing on day 25, but all are processed within 14 days from when aid is disbursed in accordance with federal regulations. For more information about disbursements, visit the Student Financial Services homepage under the Disbursement Process link…

Additional Financial Considerations

Failed Payment Processing Fee: A student will be charged a non-refundable failed payment processing fee for each returned or declined payment made via check, ACH, debit card automatic draft, or credit card automatic draft. If a student accumulates three or more returned or declined payments within a year, the student: May be ineligible to participate in payment plans and may not be able to make online payments or automated monthly draft payments via ACH.
Check Cashing: As a courtesy to currently enrolled students, the Cashiering & Treasury Services Office will cash checks from parents, the student’s personal checking account, or a Liberty University payroll check. The maximum amount that may be cashed is $50 per week, and a $1 fee will be assessed for each cashed check. If a check is returned or declined for any reason, the student’s account will be charged the check amount as well as a returned payment fee.
Online Course Attendance: Regular attendance in online courses is expected throughout the length of any courses the student is taking. Online students who do not attend within the first week of a course by submitting an academic assignment (such as the Course Requirements Checklist, an examination, a written paper or project, a discussion board post, or other academic assignments) will be dropped from the course roster and will not be allowed to submit further course work. The student is solely responsible for any coursework missed due to non-attendance.

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