Liberty University 2025: 7 Must-Know Updates on Tuition Cuts, Record Enrollment & Campus Expansion

Liberty University’s name vaulted onto this week’s Google Trends chart after the evangelical institution in Lynchburg, Virginia held its largest Commencement ever, announced eye-catching enrollment milestones, and faced fresh legal and leadership headlines that resonate far beyond its 7,000-acre campus. Record-Breaking Commencement Highlights Growth More than 32,000 students—26,000 of them online learners—were recognized during Liberty University’s 52nd Commencement exercises, marking the biggest graduating class in the school’s 54-year history. The week-long celebration culminated in a stadium ceremony headlined by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who urged graduates to be “leaders who protect freedom and faith” before a capacity crowd at Williams Stadium. The record turnout underscores Liberty’s aggressive expansion in online education—now accounting for roughly 87 percent of total enrollment—and its continued appeal among adult learners, homeschool families, and military service members seeking flexible degree pathways. Notable Graduates Capture National Attention • A 94-year-old online student crossed the stage after finishing a bachelor’s degree, becoming Liberty’s oldest graduate on record. • Sixteen-year-old prodigy Isaiah Williams finished a computer science degree four years ahead of schedule, attributing his success to “God, family, and Liberty’s dual-enrollment pipeline.” • Three generations of the Melendez family earned degrees together, highlighting the school’s multigenerational reach. Trending Legal & Leadership Developments The celebratory mood was tempered by headline-making legal news: • Falwell Settlement: Local media reported Liberty University will pay former president Jerry Falwell Jr. approximately $15 million to resolve ongoing litigation tied to his 2020 resignation. The payout, if finalized, closes a tumultuous chapter while raising fresh scrutiny over board governance and donor confidence. • Transgender Discrimination Lawsuit: The university said it will appeal a federal ruling allowing a wrongful-termination suit by former employee Ellenor Zinski—dismissed after coming out as transgender—to proceed. The case poses a high-profile test of how Title VII religious exemptions intersect with LGBTQ+ employee protections, drawing national civil-rights interest. Athletics and Conference Realignment Buzz On the sports front, Liberty softball reached the NCAA Super Regionals for the third straight season, falling in a walk-off thriller to Oregon, while Flames baseball exited the Conference USA tournament after a narrow 5-2 loss to Louisiana Tech. Athletic director Ian McCaw called the year “a springboard” as Liberty eyes continued expansion in C-USA and potential invitations amid the shifting college-sports landscape. Why the Surge in Search Volume? 1. Commencement virality: Drone footage of the governor’s keynote and the 94-year-old graduate circulated widely on TikTok and X. 2. Financial settlement intrigue: The eight-figure Falwell payout piqued interest among higher-ed watchdogs and alumni. 3. Cultural-impact court case: The transgender employment suit positions Liberty at the center of a national religious-freedom debate. 4. Athletic milestones: Postseason appearances keep the Liberty Flames on sports fans’ radar. SEO Takeaways for Prospective Students & Families • Tuition & Aid: Liberty touts an average online undergraduate cost of $390 per credit after scholarships, with military discounts up to 45 percent. • Accreditation: The university remains regionally accredited by SACSCOC, offering more than 700 programs from certificates to doctorates. • Campus Life: Residential students enjoy a 66-acre snowflex ski slope, NCAA Division I athletics, and faith-based student organizations. • Career Outcomes: According to the university, 92 percent of 2024 graduates were employed or in graduate school within six months. Looking Ahead Liberty University’s leadership will be under the microscope as it finalizes the Falwell settlement, litigates high-stakes employment claims, and marches toward its stated goal of 150,000 total students by 2030. Meanwhile, the Class of 2025’s record size signals sustained demand for the school’s mix of Christian worldview and scalable online delivery. Expect Liberty to remain a trending topic as higher education wrestles with questions of faith, finance, and freedom in the digital age.