Mount St. Mary's University vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD with Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount St. Mary's University is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (2,408 students vs. 936 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount St. Mary's University is located in Emmitsburg, MD (Rural Fringe setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Mount St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount St. Mary's University 13:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Mount St. Mary's University vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount St. Mary's 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 Mount St. Mary's University than SVU ($23,027 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 34.3% lower than at Mount St. Mary's University ($9,894 vs. $15,050).
• Mount St. Mary's University is 128.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $27,350 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 128.5% higher at Mount St. Mary's University than at Southern Virginia University (about $27,350 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mount St. Mary's University as at Southern Virginia University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount St. Mary's University students is 304.5% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($40,619 vs. $10,041).

Mount St. Mary's University vs. SVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mount St. Mary's 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 Mount St. Mary's University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Mount St. Mary's University (1160) is 60 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming Mount St. Mary's University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Mount St. Mary's University 1046/1280; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Mount St. Mary's University 19/27; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount St. Mary's University - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount St. Mary's University Mar 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Mount St. Mary's University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Mount St. Mary's University (73.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at Mount St. Mary's University vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Mount St. Mary's University vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount St. Mary's 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.

• Mount St. Mary's University's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Mount St. Mary's University earn a median of about $15,500 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 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 Mount St. Mary's University graduates ($23,654 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount St. Mary's University graduates ($244 vs. $268).
• More Mount St. Mary's 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.