TU vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

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

Towson University is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 936 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

TU vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU 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 Towson University than SVU ($16,653 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 39.2% lower than at Towson University ($9,894 vs. $16,260).
• Southern Virginia University is 81.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $9,552 more per year; $21,280.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.1% higher at TU than at Southern Virginia University (about $8,540 more per year; $29,820.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at Towson University (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Towson University students is 17.7% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($11,820 vs. $10,041).

TU vs. SVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Virginia University (1100) is 10 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming TU 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: Towson University 950/1235; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Towson University 19/27; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman TU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than TU (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 21.4% at SVU.

TU vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU and SVU? 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.

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $5,904 lower median loan debt than SVU graduates ($17,750 vs. $23,654).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SVU graduates ($183 vs. $244).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.