SVU vs. UVa-Wise

Should I go to Southern Virginia University or The University of Virginia's College at Wise? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SVU or UVa-Wise is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Southern Virginia University vs. The University of Virginia's College at Wise comparison
Southern Virginia University The University of Virginia's College at Wise College 3 College 4
Southern Virginia University The University of Virginia's College at Wise
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Overview

SVU UVa-Wise
Location Buena Vista, VA Wise, VA
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 1,053 1,704
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #984 #750
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website svu.edu uvawise.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

SVU UVa-Wise
Tuition (In State) $18,858 $6,040
Tuition (Out of State) $18,858 $25,419
Room & Board $9,150 $11,919
Avg Net Price $23,274 $9,923
Avg Grant Aid $8,188 $14,299
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 98%

Admission

SVU UVa-Wise
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,090 835
Admitted 1,084 631
Acceptance Rate 99.4% 75.6%
Enrolled % 35.1% 39.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.19 3.57
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 19/25
SAT Range 900/1250 915/1160
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

SVU UVa-Wise
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
  • English and Literature (13%)
  • Work and Family Studies (12%)
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (21%)
  • Business (17%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • History (7%)

Outcomes

SVU UVa-Wise
Graduation Rate 25% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,600 $42,100
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,654 $20,827
Median Loan Payment $244 $215

Diversity

SVU UVa-Wise
% Men 53% 40%
% Women 47% 60%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 78%
% Black 4% 12%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 0%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 7%

Students

SVU UVa-Wise
% In-State 12% 76%
% Out-of-State 73% 21%

Campus

SVU UVa-Wise
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • The University of Virginia's College at Wise is larger than than SVU based on total student enrollment (1,704 students vs. 1,053 students)

SVU vs. UVa-Wise Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SVU or UVa-Wise?

  • Southern Virginia University is 212.2% more expensive to attend than UVa-Wise for in-state tuition ($18,858.00 vs. $6,040.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 34.8% higher at UVa-Wise than Southern Virginia University ($25,419.00 vs. $18,858.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Virginia's College at Wise than SVU ($9,923 vs. $23,274)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 30.3% lower than costs at The University of Virginia's College at Wise ($9,150 vs. $11,919)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Virginia University than The University of Virginia's College at Wise (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Virginia's College at Wise students is 74.6% larger than aid received Southern Virginia University ($14,299 vs. $8,188)

SVU vs. UVa-Wise Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SVU or UVa-Wise? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UVa-Wise or SVU .

  • The average SAT score at Southern Virginia University (1041) is 99 points higher than at UVa-Wise (942)
  • Incoming SVU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at UVa-Wise (20)
  • Accepted freshman UVa-Wise students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at SVU (3.19)
  • SVU has a higher acceptance rate (99.4%) than UVa-Wise (75.6%)

SVU vs. UVa-Wise Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SVU or UVa-Wise? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UVa-Wise and SVU.

  • The graduation rate at UVa-Wise is higher than Southern Virginia University (39% vs. 25%)
  • Graduates from The University of Virginia's College at Wise earn on average $1,500 more per year than SVU graduates after ten years. ($42,100 vs. $40,600)
  • The University of Virginia's College at Wise students graduate with a $2,827 lower median federal student loan debt than SVU graduates. ($20,827 vs. $23,654)
  • UVa-Wise graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than SVU graduates. ($215 vs. $244)
  • More UVa-Wise graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/