ASU vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

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

Appalachian State University is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

ASU vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU 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 Appalachian State University than SVU ($14,978 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 23.1% lower than at Appalachian State University ($9,894 vs. $12,868).
• Southern Virginia University is 180.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $13,701 more per year; $21,280.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.5% higher at ASU than at Southern Virginia University (about $3,932 more per year; $25,212.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at Appalachian State University (100% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Virginia University students is 25.3% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($10,041 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. SVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU 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 ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Appalachian State University (1200) is 100 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming ASU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.77 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than ASU (90.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 21.4% at SVU.

ASU vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU 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).

• Appalachian State University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Appalachian State University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $3,154 lower median loan debt than SVU graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,654).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SVU graduates ($211 vs. $244).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.