Christian liberal arts university in Virginia's Blue Ridge foothills, training leaders for a changing world.
The University of Lynchburg offers 39 undergraduate majors and 49 minors across three schools: Liberal Arts & Sciences, Medicine & Health Sciences, and Professional & Applied Sciences. Graduate programs include Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Master of Education, Master of Science in Nursing, and doctoral degrees in physical therapy, physician assistant studies, and educational leadership. The university features the Westover Honors Program, a student-managed investment fund, and the DELL Curriculum designed for innovation and real-world problem-solving. The university was the first in the United States to train nuclear physicists and engineers for the NS Savannah project under President Eisenhower.
The 264-acre main campus in Lynchburg is complemented by the Claytor Nature Study Center, a 470-acre environmental research facility 40 minutes away. Most students live on campus or in university-owned houses. The university supports over 40 clubs and organizations, Greek life (fraternities and sororities), student government, spiritual life programs, and volunteer opportunities. Campus facilities include Carnegie Hall, Knight-Capron Library, and Burton Dining Hall, which has received national recognition for excellence. The university emphasizes connection and belonging as core values.
The University of Lynchburg accepts applications through multiple pathways: undergraduate, graduate, transfer, international, and non-traditional admissions. The university reports that 100% of students receive financial aid. Career outcomes are strong, with 81.5% of graduates surveyed 10 years after graduation earning more than a high school graduate, exceeding the national average and ranking among leading private schools in Virginia.
The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools but has been on 'warning' status since December 2024 due to significant non-compliance with standards for financial responsibility and student outcomes. In May 2024, administrators announced major restructuring: closing 12 undergraduate majors, 25 minors, and five graduate programs, plus eliminating 40 staff and 40 faculty positions. Enrollment declined nearly 15% from 2017 to 2022, and the university reported an $8.6 million deficit in 2023.