SVU vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 936 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Virginia University is located in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Virginia University 14:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

SVU vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SVU or VCU? 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 VCU ($24,561 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 45.8% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($9,894 vs. $18,254).
• Southern Virginia University is 25.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $4,335 more per year; $21,280.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.5% higher at VCU than at Southern Virginia University (about $18,829 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 41.3% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($14,186 vs. $10,041).

SVU vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SVU or VCU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between VCU and SVU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Virginia Commonwealth University (1140) is 40 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming VCU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (26 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Virginia University 943/1253; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Virginia University 18/25; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SVU - Test-free; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman VCU students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than VCU (92.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at SVU vs. 21.6% at VCU.

SVU vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SVU and VCU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Virginia Commonwealth University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $404 lower median loan debt than SVU graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,654).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SVU graduates ($240 vs. $244).
• More VCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.