Randolph-Macon vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

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

Randolph Macon College is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (1,687 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Randolph Macon College is located in Ashland, VA (Large Suburban setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Randolph Macon 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 Macon College 11:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Randolph-Macon vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Randolph-Macon 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 Southern Virginia University than Randolph-Macon ($24,561 vs. $28,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 32% lower than at Randolph Macon College ($9,894 vs. $14,540).
• Randolph Macon College is 132.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $28,186 more per year; $49,466.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 132.5% higher at Randolph-Macon than at Southern Virginia University (about $28,186 more per year; $49,466.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Randolph Macon College as at Southern Virginia University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Randolph Macon College students is 248.3% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($34,972 vs. $10,041).

Randolph-Macon vs. SVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Randolph-Macon 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-Macon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Randolph Macon College (1100) is the same as at SVU (1100).
• Incoming Randolph-Macon students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Randolph Macon College 980/1220; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Randolph Macon College 21/27; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Randolph-Macon - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Randolph-Macon Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Randolph-Macon students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Randolph-Macon (86.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.9% at Randolph-Macon vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Randolph-Macon vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Randolph-Macon 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 Macon College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Randolph Macon College earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 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-Macon graduates ($23,654 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Randolph-Macon graduates ($244 vs. $279).
• More Randolph-Macon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.