MVNU vs. SU

Should I go to Mount Vernon Nazarene University or Shenandoah University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MVNU or SU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

JMU University of Lynchburg Roanoke College VCU Marymount University Longwood University Liberty University Mason YCP IWU CNU TU
Mount Vernon Nazarene University vs. Shenandoah University comparison
Mount Vernon Nazarene University Shenandoah University College 3 College 4
Shenandoah University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 MVNU SU
Location Mount Vernon, OH Winchester, VA
Setting Rural Fringe Small City
Enrollment 1,941 4,260
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #623 #537
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mvnu.edu su.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 MVNU SU
Tuition (In State) $33,918 $33,790
Tuition (Out of State) $33,918 $33,790
Room & Board $9,612 $11,230
Avg Net Price $23,391 $26,143
Avg Grant Aid $23,202 $23,467
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 MVNU SU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,070 2,296
Admitted 913 1,845
Acceptance Rate 85.3% 80.4%
Enrolled % 32.4% 25.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.55 3.7
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/25 19/26
SAT Range 963/1228 1010/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 MVNU SU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (44%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
  • Health Professions (36%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (17%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

 MVNU SU
Graduation Rate 57% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,100 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,536 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $274 $258

Diversity

 MVNU SU
% Men 38% 32%
% Women 62% 68%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 85% 59%
% Black 5% 11%
% Hispanic 2% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 5% 13%

Students

 MVNU SU
% In-State 85% 52%
% Out-of-State 13% 48%

Campus

 MVNU SU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Shenandoah University is larger than than MVNU based on total student enrollment (4,260 students vs. 1,941 students)

MVNU vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MVNU or SU?

  • Mount Vernon Nazarene University is 0.4% more expensive to attend than SU for in-state tuition ($33,918.00 vs. $33,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 0.4% higher at MVNU than Shenandoah University ($33,918.00 vs. $33,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Mount Vernon Nazarene University than SU ($23,391 vs. $26,143)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Vernon Nazarene University are 16.8% lower than costs at Shenandoah University ($9,612 vs. $11,230)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Mount Vernon Nazarene University as Shenandoah University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 1.1% larger than aid received Mount Vernon Nazarene University ($23,467 vs. $23,202)

MVNU vs. SU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MVNU or SU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SU or MVNU .

  • The average SAT score at Mount Vernon Nazarene University (1047) is 42 points higher than at SU (1005)
  • Incoming MVNU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at SU (22)
  • Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at MVNU (3.55)
  • MVNU has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than SU (80.4%)

MVNU vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MVNU or SU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SU and MVNU.

  • The graduation rate at MVNU is higher than Shenandoah University (57% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Shenandoah University earn on average $2,200 more per year than MVNU graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $46,100)
  • Shenandoah University students graduate with a $1,536 lower median federal student loan debt than MVNU graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,536)
  • SU graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than MVNU graduates. ($258 vs. $274)
  • More MVNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/