NNU vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

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

Northwest Nazarene University is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (1,635 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest Nazarene University is located in Nampa, ID (Small City setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Northwest Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwest Nazarene University 14:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

NNU vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NNU 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 NNU ($24,561 vs. $30,178).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 18% lower than at Northwest Nazarene University ($9,894 vs. $12,070).
• Northwest Nazarene University is 91.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $19,514 more per year; $40,794.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 91.7% higher at NNU than at Southern Virginia University (about $19,514 more per year; $40,794.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at Northwest Nazarene University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Nazarene University students is 150.4% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($25,146 vs. $10,041).

NNU vs. SVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NNU or SVU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SVU and NNU.

• Northwest Nazarene University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwest Nazarene University (1120) is 20 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming NNU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwest Nazarene University 1005/1240; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwest Nazarene University 22/27; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NNU - Open admission; SVU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: NNU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NNU 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 NNU (64.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at NNU vs. 21.4% at SVU.

NNU vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NNU and SVU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Northwest Nazarene University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Northwest Nazarene University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,000 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 NNU graduates ($23,654 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NNU graduates ($244 vs. $268).
• More NNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.