Kentucky vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kentucky is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 936 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Kentucky 18:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Kentucky vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kentucky 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 University of Kentucky than SVU ($21,958 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 38.2% lower than at University of Kentucky ($9,894 vs. $16,016).
• Southern Virginia University is 57.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kentucky (about $7,778 more per year; $21,280.00 vs. $13,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.4% higher at Kentucky than at Southern Virginia University (about $12,860 more per year; $34,140.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at University of Kentucky (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kentucky students is 28.5% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($12,898 vs. $10,041).

Kentucky vs. SVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kentucky 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 Kentucky.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Kentucky (1180) is 80 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming Kentucky students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Kentucky 1070/1290; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Kentucky 21/28; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kentucky - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Kentucky students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Kentucky (92.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Kentucky vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kentucky 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.

• University of Kentucky's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from University of Kentucky earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kentucky graduates have a $904 lower median loan debt than SVU graduates ($22,750 vs. $23,654).
• Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SVU graduates ($235 vs. $244).
• More Kentucky graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.