AU vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Anderson University in Anderson, SC with Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Anderson University is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (4,710 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Anderson University is located in Anderson, SC (Small City setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Anderson University 13:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

AU vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or SVU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Anderson University than SVU ($24,434 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 22.2% lower than at Anderson University ($9,894 vs. $12,720).
• Anderson University is 64.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $13,690 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.3% higher at AU than at Southern Virginia University (about $13,690 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at Anderson University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 158.6% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($25,969 vs. $10,041).

AU vs. SVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or SVU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SVU and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Anderson University (1190) is 90 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming AU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Anderson University 1100/1280; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Anderson University 22/29; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than AU (54.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.5% at AU vs. 21.4% at SVU.

AU vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and SVU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Anderson University's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Southern Virginia University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $3,208 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($23,654 vs. $26,862).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($244 vs. $277).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.