Westminster College vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA with Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Westminster College is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (1,191 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Westminster College is located in New Wilmington, PA (Town Fringe setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Westminster College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Westminster College 12:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Westminster College vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Westminster 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 Westminster College than SVU ($20,394 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 23.2% lower than at Westminster College ($9,894 vs. $12,880).
• Westminster College is 89.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $19,010 more per year; $40,290.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89.3% higher at Westminster College than at Southern Virginia University (about $19,010 more per year; $40,290.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Westminster College as at Southern Virginia University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westminster College students is 224.2% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($32,553 vs. $10,041).

Westminster College vs. SVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Westminster 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 Westminster College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Westminster College (1150) is 50 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming Westminster College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westminster College 1040/1258; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westminster College 20/26; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Westminster College - Test-free; SVU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Westminster College students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Westminster College (92.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Westminster College vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Westminster College vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Westminster 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).

• Westminster College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Westminster College earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $3,346 lower median loan debt than Westminster College graduates ($23,654 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westminster College graduates ($244 vs. $279).
• More Westminster College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.