Roanoke College vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

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

Roanoke College is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (1,804 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Roanoke College vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Roanoke 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 Southern Virginia University than Roanoke College ($24,561 vs. $26,044).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 35.6% lower than at Roanoke College ($9,894 vs. $15,366).
• Roanoke College is 78.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $16,788 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.9% higher at Roanoke College than at Southern Virginia University (about $16,788 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Roanoke College as at Southern Virginia University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Roanoke College students is 180.7% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($28,188 vs. $10,041).

Roanoke College vs. SVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Roanoke College (1200) is 100 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming Roanoke College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Roanoke College 1090/1300; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Roanoke College 24/31; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Roanoke College - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Roanoke College students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Roanoke College (83.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Roanoke College vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Roanoke College vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Roanoke 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).

• Roanoke College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Roanoke College earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 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 Roanoke College graduates ($23,654 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Roanoke College graduates ($244 vs. $279).
• More Roanoke College 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.