LRC vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

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

La Roche University is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (2,153 students vs. 936 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

LRC vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LRC 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 La Roche University than SVU ($24,108 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 26.1% lower than at La Roche University ($9,894 vs. $13,390).
• La Roche University is 60% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $12,772 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60% higher at LRC than at Southern Virginia University (about $12,772 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at La Roche University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Roche University students is 129.9% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($23,083 vs. $10,041).

LRC vs. SVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LRC 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 LRC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Virginia University (1100) is 30 points higher than at LRC (1070).
• Incoming SVU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (21 vs. 18 at LRC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 940/1200; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 15/22; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LRC - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: LRC Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman LRC students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than LRC (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at LRC vs. 21.4% at SVU.

LRC vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LRC 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.

• La Roche University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from La Roche University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $2,346 lower median loan debt than LRC graduates ($23,654 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LRC graduates ($244 vs. $268).
• More LRC 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.