AU vs. SU

Should I go to Averett University or Shenandoah University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AU or SU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Averett University vs. Shenandoah University comparison
Averett University Shenandoah University College 3 College 4
Averett University Shenandoah University
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Overview

AU SU
Location Danville, VA Winchester, VA
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 1,363 4,260
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #661 #537
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website averett.edu su.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

AU SU
Tuition (In State) $37,640 $33,790
Tuition (Out of State) $37,640 $33,790
Room & Board $11,360 $11,230
Avg Net Price $23,781 $26,143
Avg Grant Aid $26,246 $23,467
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

AU SU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,324 2,296
Admitted 1,767 1,845
Acceptance Rate 76% 80.4%
Enrolled % 14.2% 25.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.07 3.7
Typical High School Grades B A-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/22 19/26
SAT Range 850/1170 1010/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

AU SU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)
  • Health Professions (36%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (17%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

AU SU
Graduation Rate 41% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,400 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $258

Diversity

AU SU
% Men 48% 32%
% Women 52% 68%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 58% 59%
% Black 33% 11%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 13%

Students

AU SU
% In-State 46% 52%
% Out-of-State 45% 48%

Campus

AU SU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Shenandoah University is larger than than AU based on total student enrollment (4,260 students vs. 1,363 students)

AU vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or SU?

  • Averett University is 11.4% more expensive to attend than SU for in-state tuition ($37,640.00 vs. $33,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 11.4% higher at AU than Shenandoah University ($37,640.00 vs. $33,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Averett University than SU ($23,781 vs. $26,143)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 1.2% lower than costs at Averett University ($11,230 vs. $11,360)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Averett University as Shenandoah University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Averett University students is 11.8% larger than aid received Shenandoah University ($26,246 vs. $23,467)

AU vs. SU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or SU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SU or AU .

  • The average SAT score at Shenandoah University (1005) is 92 points higher than at AU (913)
  • Incoming SU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at AU (20)
  • Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.63 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at AU (3.07)
  • SU has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than AU (76%)

AU vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AU or SU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SU and AU.

  • The graduation rate at SU is higher than Averett University (45% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Averett University earn on average $100 more per year than SU graduates after ten years. ($48,400 vs. $48,300)
  • Shenandoah University and AU graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($25,000 vs. $25,000)
  • Shenandoah University and AU graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($258 vs. $258)
  • More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/