Randolph vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Randolph College in Lynchburg, VA 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 Randolph based on total student enrollment (936 students vs. 816 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Randolph College is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Randolph College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Randolph College 8:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Randolph vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Randolph 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 Randolph College than SVU ($21,668 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 19.9% lower than at Randolph College ($9,894 vs. $12,350).
• Randolph College is 42.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $9,030 more per year; $30,310.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.4% higher at Randolph than at Southern Virginia University (about $9,030 more per year; $30,310.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Randolph College as at Southern Virginia University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Randolph College students is 132.8% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($23,372 vs. $10,041).

Randolph vs. SVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Randolph 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 Randolph.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Randolph College (1160) is 60 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming Randolph students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Randolph College 1100/1210; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Randolph College 19/26; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Randolph - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Randolph students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.35) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Randolph (93.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.7% at Randolph vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Randolph vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Randolph 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).

• Randolph College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Randolph College earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,200 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $3,346 lower median loan debt than Randolph graduates ($23,654 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Randolph graduates ($244 vs. $279).
• More Randolph graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.