SVU vs. AMU

Comparable Facts

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

Ave Maria University is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (1,423 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Virginia University is located in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting); Ave Maria University is in Ave Maria, FL (Distant Rural setting).
• Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ave Maria University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Virginia University 14:1; Ave Maria University 17:1.

SVU vs. AMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SVU or AMU? 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 AMU ($24,561 vs. $25,294).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 31.4% lower than at Ave Maria University ($9,894 vs. $14,432).
• Ave Maria University is 41.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $8,918 more per year; $30,198.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.9% higher at AMU than at Southern Virginia University (about $8,918 more per year; $30,198.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University as at Ave Maria University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ave Maria University students is 108.5% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($20,936 vs. $10,041).

SVU vs. AMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SVU or AMU? 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 AMU and SVU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ave Maria University (1130) is 30 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming AMU 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: Southern Virginia University 943/1253; Ave Maria University 1018/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Virginia University 18/25; Ave Maria University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SVU - Test-free; AMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman AMU students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than AMU (41.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at SVU vs. 32.8% at AMU.

SVU vs. AMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SVU and AMU? 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).

• Ave Maria University's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ave Maria University graduates have a $1,226 lower median loan debt than SVU graduates ($22,428 vs. $23,654).
• Among borrowers, AMU graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SVU graduates ($231 vs. $244).
• More SVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AMU students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.