
Courtesy of Life University
Life University is a private university in Marietta, Georgia, whose identity grew out of chiropractic education. Chiropractor Sid E. Williams founded Life Chiropractic College in 1974; the institution later adopted the Life University name as its academic offerings expanded beyond the Doctor of Chiropractic degree.
Chiropractic remains central to the university, but prospective students should not assume every program is a pathway into that profession. Life also offers undergraduate and graduate study in other fields. That distinction matters when comparing its programs, accreditation and career outcomes.
Life University organizes its academics around a College of Chiropractic and a College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies. Its defining professional credential is the Doctor of Chiropractic; other programs serve students pursuing undergraduate or graduate education without necessarily entering chiropractic practice.
Examples of fields associated with Life's broader academic offerings include biology, psychology, nutrition, exercise-related study and business. Degree level, delivery format, prerequisites and professional requirements vary by program. Applicants interested in a licensed health profession should examine the requirements for that specific degree rather than treating the university's academic programs as interchangeable.
Life University is in Marietta, a suburban city northwest of Atlanta. Its campus gives students access to the Atlanta metropolitan area while placing day-to-day classes and campus services outside the city center.
Commuting is a significant part of the student experience: institutional figures indicate that about 63% of students commute. Students planning to drive should account for traffic and parking, although first-year students are permitted to register or park a car on campus. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the principal airport for longer-distance travel.
Life University describes its educational approach in terms of health, wellness and a philosophy it calls vitalism. That outlook is particularly relevant to its chiropractic identity and its emphasis on the body's capacity for health.
Students evaluating a clinical program should distinguish the institution's stated philosophy from the scientific evidence, professional standards and scope-of-practice rules applicable to a particular treatment. The best way to assess academic fit is to review the curriculum and clinical training requirements for the intended degree, alongside the university's stated values.
Name of the institution
Life UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: SmallInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
QuartersFoundation year
1974Life University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.