PC vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC with Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Presbyterian College is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (1,095 students vs. 936 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Presbyterian College is located in Clinton, SC (Distant Town setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Presbyterian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Presbyterian College 11:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

PC vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PC 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 Presbyterian College than SVU ($20,840 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 27.1% lower than at Presbyterian College ($9,894 vs. $13,579).
• Presbyterian College is 111% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $23,630 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111% higher at PC than at Southern Virginia University (about $23,630 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Presbyterian College as at Southern Virginia University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Presbyterian College students is 291.8% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($39,345 vs. $10,041).

PC vs. SVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PC 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 PC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Virginia University (1100) is 10 points higher than at PC (1090).
• Incoming PC 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: Presbyterian College 980/1200; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Presbyterian College 21/26; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PC - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: PC Sep 21, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman PC students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than PC (68.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at PC vs. 21.4% at SVU.

PC vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PC 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.

• Presbyterian College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Presbyterian College earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $2,454 lower median loan debt than PC graduates ($23,654 vs. $26,108).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PC graduates ($244 vs. $269).
• More PC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.