Ohio University vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Ohio University Main Campus in Athens, OH with Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ohio University Main Campus is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (26,323 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ohio University Main Campus is located in Athens, OH (Distant Town setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Ohio University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ohio University Main Campus 18:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Ohio University vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ohio 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 Ohio University Main Campus than SVU ($21,907 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 30.1% lower than at Ohio University Main Campus ($9,894 vs. $14,162).
• Southern Virginia University is 50.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ohio University (about $7,122 more per year; $21,280.00 vs. $14,158.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.7% higher at Ohio University than at Southern Virginia University (about $3,558 more per year; $24,838.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at Ohio University Main Campus (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Virginia University students is 6.6% larger than aid received by Ohio University Main Campus students ($10,041 vs. $9,422).

Ohio University vs. SVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio University Main Campus (1190) is 90 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming Ohio University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio University Main Campus 1090/1290; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio University Main Campus 22/28; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ohio University - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ohio University Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Ohio 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 Ohio University (85%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at Ohio University vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Ohio University vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ohio University 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).

• Ohio University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,500 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ohio University Main Campus graduates have a $3,154 lower median loan debt than SVU graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,654).
• Among borrowers, Ohio University graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SVU graduates ($211 vs. $244).
• More SVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 51%)

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.