US College Profile: Life University

Life University: background & general overview

• Life University is located in Marietta, Georgia (in the metro-Atlanta area).
• The school was founded in 1974.
• Mission & philosophy: Life U emphasises “purpose-driven learning,” whole-person health and well-being, and a vitalistic philosophy (especially through its flagship chiropractic programs).
• Size & Campus Life: The campus is 110 acres and hosts undergraduate, graduate and professional students from all over the U.S. and more than 60 countries.
• Student community & activities: There are 70+ student clubs and organisations, giving a broad range of extracurricular and social opportunities.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: About 15:1.
• Health & wellness services: On-campus outpatient clinic handles many patients (tens of thousands annually), and the school also supports sport science and wellness services.

Because of its roots and focus, Life U tends to attract students interested in health care, human performance, wellness — but also those wanting a full—not just academic—college experience, including sports and community.

Campus, Culture & Infrastructure

• The campus includes modern student housing, dining (including sustainable dining via organic farming, composting, etc.), and fitness/wellness facilities.
• Life U has invested in sustainable building practices: for example, dormitories certified to LEED standards, “greening” the campus, modernising facilities.
• The school blends academics, health/wellness culture, athletics, and student life — aiming to nurture “whole-person” development (mind, body, health, community).

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The Rugby Program — Why Life U Is Famous for It

The rugby program at Life University (both men’s and women’s) is widely regarded as one of the top college rugby programs in the United States.

History

• The rugby program at Life U began in 1980.
• By 1982, just two years after inception, the school reached the finals of the collegiate national championships (though they lost to their opponent).
• The undergraduate rugby program was reintroduced as a varsity sport starting the 2010–2011 season.

Achievements & Dominance

• In its first varsity season (2011), the men’s team reached the national quarterfinals.
• In 2011–12, the team reached the national semifinals and finished ranked #2 in the country.
• Life U men’s team won the top 15s national collegiate championships (Division I-A) in 2013.
• More recently, they secured back-to-back national championships in 2018 and 2019, defeating the California Golden Bears in both finals.
• The men’s program is broadly regarded among the top 4–5 collegiate rugby teams in the country and has persistently competed at the highest level.

Rugby Sevens & Women’s Rugby

• The university has also built a successful rugby-sevens program. The men’s 7s team won the 2011 USA Rugby Sevens Collegiate National Championship.
• The team has also had strong showings in other 7s tournaments (Las Vegas Invitational, Collegiate Rugby Championship, other sevens events).
• The women’s rugby program has become a powerhouse: in April 2024, the women’s team won their first D1 Elite National Championship.
• As of 2025, the women’s rugby program is expanding: it has been accepted into the senior-level club competition (USA Rugby Women’s Division 1 Club competition), offering a “dual-pathway” — competing both in college rugby and senior club rugby.

Program Strength & Influence

Life U’s rugby program is widely recognised nationally and has helped the university gain notoriety beyond just chiropractic and health sciences.

The program has repeatedly produced All-Americans, national champions, and players who proceed to higher-level club or professional rugby, or even national teams in some cases.

The program’s success is supported by excellent facilities: on-campus rugby pitches, dedicated training and athletic infrastructure.

Why Life University Stands Out

Putting together the academics, campus culture, and rugby — Life University offers a somewhat unique college experience in the U.S.:

• Holistic focus: combining health care education (especially chiropractic / wellness), student well-being, athletics, community and global outlook.
• Strong athletics + academic balance: with a 15:1 student–faculty ratio, lots of student clubs, and serious competitive sports (especially rugby), Life U seems designed both for dedicated students and for athlete-students.
• Elite rugby program: Few American colleges can match Life U’s consistency and success in rugby; for a student interested in rugby + health/fitness, it is among the most compelling options.
• Global & diverse community: with students from across the U.S. and more than 60 countries, plus a wide array of clubs and activities, Life U offers a diverse student life and global connections.