Principia College vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Principia College in Elsah, Illinois 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 Principia College based on total student enrollment (936 students vs. 339 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Principia College is located in Elsah, Illinois (Rural Fringe setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Principia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Principia College 6:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Principia College vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Principia College 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 Principia College than SVU ($18,248 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 28.9% lower than at Principia College ($9,894 vs. $13,910).
• Principia College is 63% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $13,400 more per year; $34,680.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63% higher at Principia College than at Southern Virginia University (about $13,400 more per year; $34,680.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at Principia College (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Principia College students is 202.8% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($30,402 vs. $10,041).

Principia College vs. SVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Principia College 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 Principia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Principia College (1150) is 50 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming Principia College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at SVU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 1040/1250; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 19/23; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Principia College - Not reported; SVU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Principia College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.34) than students at SVU (3.19).

Principia College vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Principia College 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).

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.