Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at Liberty University vary significantly by field of study, with engineering and technology programs delivering the highest earnings while education and communications show more modest returns. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than reputation or prestige.
Analyzing 50 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights showcase programs that demonstrate exceptional performance across national rankings, graduate earnings, and enrollment scale.
recent graduates
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, national ranking, debt levels, and enrollment size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at Liberty University.
Liberty University's technical programs deliver the strongest earnings outcomes, with Artificial Intelligence graduates earning $88,983 and ranking nationally competitive. These programs demonstrate excellent career preparation despite higher debt levels, with graduates entering high-demand technology fields.
The combination of strong earnings and national recognition makes this group well-suited for students prioritizing post-graduation income potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering.Small sample | — | $89,244 |
These rankings reflect post-graduation employment outcomes based on federal College Scorecard data, which tracks median earnings of graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education 10 years after initial enrollment. Programs at the same institution can show dramatically different outcomes due to labor market demands, industry salary levels, and career pathway differences. Rankings emphasize measurable economic outcomes rather than academic prestige or program reputation. Data includes only programs with sufficient graduate cohorts to ensure statistical reliability, typically requiring 10+ graduates over multiple years. Debt levels reflect typical borrowing patterns for students in each program. Earnings and debt figures provide objective measures for comparing educational value across different fields of study.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
| — |
| 17 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | — | $89,129 | — | 56 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | — | $82,116 | $55,933 | 219 |
| Computer Engineering.Small sample | — | $63,600 | — | 8 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management.Small sample | — | $38,289 | — | 11 |
Business programs at Liberty University show solid performance across multiple specializations, with Business Administration graduating the largest cohort of 1,595 students earning $54,361. Accounting Technology produces higher earnings at $58,047 with smaller enrollment.
These programs offer reliable career preparation with manageable debt levels, appealing to students seeking practical professional training with strong employment prospects.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management Information Systems and Services. | — | $84,228★ | — | 82 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | — | $67,269 | $26,199 | 1,603 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | — | $63,307 | — | 200 |
Health programs demonstrate strong earnings potential, with Adult Health Nursing graduates earning $70,066, though debt levels reach $50,897. The program ranks #232 nationally but #7 in Virginia, indicating regional competitiveness.
This field suits students willing to manage higher educational debt in exchange for strong healthcare career earnings and job security.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | — | $82,883★ | $50,897 | 253 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | — | $58,969 | — | 89 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | — | $49,103 | — | 26 |
| Public Health. | — | $48,926 | — | 58 |
Mathematics. leads sciences & mathematics with 81K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics.Small sample | — | $81,095★ | — | 17 |
| Biology, General. | — | $50,666 | — | 101 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology. | — | $41,103 | — | 25 |
Social science programs display mixed outcomes, with Psychology graduates earning $36,871 despite high debt levels of $35,358, resulting in lower value scores. American Government graduates perform better with $48,474 earnings.
These fields require careful debt management given moderate earnings, best suited for students planning graduate education or specific career pathways.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | — | $71,436★ | — | 50 |
| Political Science and Government. | — | $56,550 | — | 140 |
| Social Work. | — | $48,003 | — | 238 |
| Psychology, General. | — | $45,340 | $35,358 | 1,211 |
| Social Sciences, General.Small sample | — | $41,811 | — | 12 |
Communications programs face earnings challenges, with Media Studies graduates earning $38,584 while carrying $53,505 in debt, resulting in concerning debt-to-earnings ratios. Commercial Photography shows similar patterns.
These programs require careful financial consideration given modest earnings relative to educational costs, suitable for students with clear career plans and external support.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies. | — | $54,911★ | $53,505 | 210 |
| Journalism.Small sample | — | $51,940 | — | 13 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. | — | $50,891 | $39,848 | 49 |
Humanities programs show exceptional value performance, with Buddhist Studies ranking #2 nationally and achieving a 90.0 value score despite moderate earnings of $44,318. American History graduates earn $39,608 with strong value metrics.
These programs excel at providing affordable education with surprising career flexibility, ideal for students prioritizing intellectual development and diverse career pathways.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Religious Music and Worship. | — | $51,701★ | — | 61 |
| American Sign Language.Small sample | — | $48,109 | — | 6 |
| Religion/Religious Studies. | — | $47,991 | $21,468 | 662 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | — | $47,797 | $38,727 | 195 |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries. | — | $46,531 | $49,666 | 73 |
| History. | — | $46,496 | — | 248 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | — | $45,257 | $26,376 | 41 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | — | $43,025 | — | 50 |
| Music. | — | $42,960 | $62,446 | 93 |
| English Language and Literature, General.Small sample | — | $42,576 | — | 19 |
Education programs face earnings challenges typical of the field, with Adult and Continuing Education graduates earning $31,860. Despite lower financial returns, these programs serve students committed to educational service and public impact.
The field requires careful financial planning given modest earnings relative to educational investment, suited for mission-driven students.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Education and Teaching. | — | $47,241★ | — | 100 |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. | — | $46,899 | — | 50 |
| Education, General.Small sample | — | $41,664 | — | 6 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | — | $40,952 | — | 378 |
| Education, Other. | — | $20,921 | — | 32 |
Criminal justice programs deliver solid career preparation, with Corrections Administration graduates earning $51,272 and ranking #65 nationally. The program demonstrates good value with reasonable debt levels and strong state positioning.
This field appeals to students seeking public service careers with stable earnings and clear professional pathways.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | — | $61,715 | $38,000 | 604 |
Interdisciplinary programs show exceptional value, with Multi-Interdisciplinary Studies ranking #27 nationally and graduating 1,440 students with earnings of $46,175. These programs offer flexibility and strong outcomes for students with diverse academic interests.
The high enrollment and strong rankings indicate effective program design for students seeking broad-based education with career adaptability.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Transportation. | — | $102,096★ | $91,928 | 440 |
| Military Systems and Maintenance Technology. | — | $66,126 | — | 57 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | — | $53,357 | $28,040 | 1,368 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | — | $51,061 | $36,692 | 176 |
| Legal Support Services. | — | $48,589 | — | 95 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General. | — | $46,274 | — | 27 |
| International/Globalization Studies. | — | $40,897 | — | 22 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | — | $38,332 | — | 27 |
| Apparel and Textiles. | — | $38,226 | — | 27 |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies. | — | $27,637 | — | 123 |
| Outdoor Education.Small sample | — | $17,960 | — | 5 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
