Berea College vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

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

Berea College is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (1,527 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Berea College is located in Berea, KY (Distant Town setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Berea College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Berea College 9:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Berea College vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Berea College 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 Berea College than SVU ($5,888 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Berea College are 17% lower than at Southern Virginia University ($8,208 vs. $9,894).
• Berea College is 142.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $30,378 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 142.8% higher at Berea College than at Southern Virginia University (about $30,378 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Berea College as at Southern Virginia University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Berea College students is 446.1% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($54,830 vs. $10,041).

Berea College vs. SVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Berea College 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 Berea College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Berea College (1250) is 150 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming Berea College 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: Berea College 1156/1335; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berea College 23/28; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Berea College - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berea College Mar 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Berea College students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Berea College (19.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Berea College vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Berea College vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Berea College 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).

• Graduates from Southern Virginia University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Berea College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Berea College graduates have a $17,854 lower median loan debt than SVU graduates ($5,800 vs. $23,654).
• Among borrowers, Berea College graduates have an estimated $185 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SVU graduates ($59 vs. $244).
• More Berea College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.