HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

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

Hampden Sydney College is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (946 students vs. 936 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HSC- Hampden-Sydney 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney ($24,561 vs. $29,717).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 40.9% lower than at Hampden Sydney College ($9,894 vs. $16,732).
• Hampden Sydney College is 156.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $33,270 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 156.3% higher at HSC- Hampden-Sydney than at Southern Virginia University (about $33,270 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Hampden Sydney College as at Southern Virginia University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampden Sydney College students is 305.5% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($40,720 vs. $10,041).

HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. SVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HSC- Hampden-Sydney 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Hampden Sydney College (1140) is 40 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming HSC- Hampden-Sydney 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: Hampden Sydney College 1030/1250; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Hampden Sydney College 23/28; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HSC- Hampden-Sydney - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: HSC- Hampden-Sydney Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman HSC- Hampden-Sydney students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than HSC- Hampden-Sydney (40.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.8% at HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. 21.4% at SVU.

HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HSC- Hampden-Sydney 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.

• Hampden Sydney College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Hampden Sydney College earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $3,346 lower median loan debt than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($23,654 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($244 vs. $279).
• More HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.