Longwood University vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

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

Longwood University is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (4,612 students vs. 936 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Longwood University is located in Farmville, VA (Remote Town setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Longwood University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Longwood University 15:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Longwood University vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Longwood University 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 Longwood University than SVU ($20,847 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 43.2% lower than at Longwood University ($9,894 vs. $17,424).
• Southern Virginia University is 35.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Longwood University (about $5,536 more per year; $21,280.00 vs. $15,744.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.5% higher at Longwood University than at Southern Virginia University (about $6,698 more per year; $27,978.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at Longwood University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Longwood University students is 39% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($13,954 vs. $10,041).

Longwood University vs. SVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Longwood University 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 Longwood University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Longwood University (1120) is 20 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming Longwood University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Longwood University 1030/1210; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Longwood University 19/26; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Longwood University - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman Longwood University students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Longwood University (90.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at Longwood University vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Longwood University vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Longwood University 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.

• Longwood University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Longwood University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,200 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $1,346 lower median loan debt than Longwood University graduates ($23,654 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Longwood University graduates ($244 vs. $258).
• More Longwood University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.