Penn State York vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Virginia University is larger than Penn State York based on total student enrollment (936 students vs. 677 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State York is located in York, PA (Midsize Suburban setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Penn State York is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State York 14:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Penn State York vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State York 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 Penn State York than SVU ($18,887 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 35.2% lower than at Penn State York ($9,894 vs. $15,274).
• Southern Virginia University is 39.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State York (about $6,072 more per year; $21,280.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.3% higher at Penn State York than at Southern Virginia University (about $4,112 more per year; $25,392.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at Penn State York (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Virginia University students is 14.7% larger than aid received by Penn State York students ($10,041 vs. $8,756).

Penn State York vs. SVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State York 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 Penn State York.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State York (1150) is 50 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming Penn State York 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: Penn State York 1050/1245; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State York 22/28; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State York - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Penn State York has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than SVU (96.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.7% at Penn State York vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Penn State York vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State York 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).

• Penn State York's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Penn State York earn a median of about $14,700 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $3,164 lower median loan debt than Penn State York graduates ($23,654 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State York graduates ($244 vs. $277).
• More Penn State York graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.