Stephens College vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Virginia University is larger than Stephens College based on total student enrollment (936 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Stephens College is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Stephens College 8:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Stephens College vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Stephens College or SVU? 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 Stephens College than SVU ($23,194 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 26% lower than at Stephens College ($9,894 vs. $13,366).
• Stephens College is 33% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $7,020 more per year; $28,300.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33% higher at Stephens College than at Southern Virginia University (about $7,020 more per year; $28,300.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Stephens College as at Southern Virginia University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stephens College students is 132.5% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($23,341 vs. $10,041).

Stephens College vs. SVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephens College (1200) is 100 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming SVU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at Stephens College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stephens College 1130/1270; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stephens College 16/23; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Stephens College - Test-free; SVU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Stephens College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Stephens College (77.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.6% at Stephens College vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Stephens College vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Stephens College and SVU? 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).

• Stephens College's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Southern Virginia University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Stephens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $3,346 lower median loan debt than Stephens College graduates ($23,654 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Stephens College graduates ($244 vs. $279).
• More Stephens College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.