SU vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

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

Shenandoah University is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Shenandoah University is located in Winchester, VA (Small City setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Shenandoah University 12:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

SU vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SU 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 SU ($24,561 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 20.8% lower than at Shenandoah University ($9,894 vs. $12,490).
• Shenandoah University is 73.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $15,670 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.6% higher at SU than at Southern Virginia University (about $15,670 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University as at Southern Virginia University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 146.5% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($24,747 vs. $10,041).

SU vs. SVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SU 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 SU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Shenandoah University (1120) is 20 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming SU 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: Shenandoah University 1010/1230; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Shenandoah University 19/26; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SU - Test-free; SVU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU 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 SU (77%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at SU vs. 21.4% at SVU.

SU vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SU 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).

• Shenandoah University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Shenandoah University earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $1,346 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($23,654 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($244 vs. $258).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.