SVU vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

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

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (26,409 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Virginia University is located in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Virginia University 14:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

SVU vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SVU or UVA? 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 University of Virginia Main Campus than SVU ($18,427 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 33.1% lower than at University of Virginia Main Campus ($9,894 vs. $14,800).
• University of Virginia Main Campus is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $523 more per year; $21,803.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 179.7% higher at UVA than at Southern Virginia University (about $38,232 more per year; $59,512.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at University of Virginia Main Campus (100% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students is 186% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($28,715 vs. $10,041).

SVU vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 380 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming UVA students have a 12 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Virginia University 943/1253; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Virginia University 18/25; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SVU - Test-free; UVA - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.66 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at SVU vs. 40% at UVA.

SVU vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SVU and UVA? 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).

• University of Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $36,600 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $4,154 lower median loan debt than SVU graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,654).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SVU graduates ($201 vs. $244).
• More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.