Elon vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

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

Elon University is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 936 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Elon vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon 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 Southern Virginia University than Elon ($24,561 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 34% lower than at Elon University ($9,894 vs. $14,985).
• Elon University is 120.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $25,678 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 120.7% higher at Elon than at Southern Virginia University (about $25,678 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at Elon University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 77.9% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($17,867 vs. $10,041).

Elon vs. SVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon or SVU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SVU and Elon.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 110 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming Elon students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Elon University 1130/1280; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Elon University 23/28; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Elon students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Elon vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon and SVU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $404 lower median loan debt than SVU graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,654).
• Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SVU graduates ($240 vs. $244).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.