SVU vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

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

West Virginia University is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 936 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Virginia University is located in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Virginia University 14:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

SVU vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SVU or WVU? 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 West Virginia University than SVU ($15,169 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 32.1% lower than at West Virginia University ($9,894 vs. $14,582).
• Southern Virginia University is 110.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $11,176 more per year; $21,280.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.4% higher at WVU than at Southern Virginia University (about $7,328 more per year; $28,608.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at West Virginia University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 23.1% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($12,363 vs. $10,041).

SVU vs. WVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at West Virginia University (1120) is 20 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming WVU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Virginia University 943/1253; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Virginia University 18/25; West Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SVU - Test-free; WVU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman WVU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than WVU (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at SVU vs. 24.8% at WVU.

SVU vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SVU and WVU? 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.

• West Virginia University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from West Virginia University earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $347 lower median loan debt than WVU graduates ($23,654 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($244 vs. $248).
• More WVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.