Xavier vs. SU

Should I go to Xavier University or Shenandoah University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Xavier or SU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Xavier University vs. Shenandoah University comparison
Xavier University Shenandoah University College 3 College 4
Xavier University Shenandoah University
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Overview

 Xavier SU
Location Cincinnati, OH Winchester, VA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 6,000 4,343
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #279 #523
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website xavier.edu su.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Xavier SU
Tuition (In State) $47,895 $34,614
Tuition (Out of State) $47,895 $34,614
Room & Board $13,820 $11,800
Avg Net Price $31,542 $26,400
Avg Grant Aid $30,901 $24,100
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Xavier SU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 16,750 3,763
Admitted 14,694 2,929
Acceptance Rate 87.7% 77.8%
Enrolled % 8.4% 16.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.7
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/29 19/26
SAT Range 1060/1298 1010/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

 Xavier SU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (17%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Health Professions (36%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (17%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

 Xavier SU
Graduation Rate 77% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,500 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $258

Diversity

 Xavier SU
% Men 8% 9%
% Women 13% 31%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 72% 59%
% Black 10% 11%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 5% 13%

Students

 Xavier SU
% In-State 43% 58%
% Out-of-State 56% 42%

Campus

 Xavier SU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Xavier University is larger than than SU based on total student enrollment (6,000 students vs. 4,343 students)

Xavier vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Xavier or SU?

  • Xavier University is 38.4% more expensive to attend than SU for in-state tuition ($47,895.00 vs. $34,614.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 38.4% higher at Xavier than Shenandoah University ($47,895.00 vs. $34,614.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shenandoah University than Xavier ($26,400 vs. $31,542)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 17.1% lower than costs at Xavier University ($11,800 vs. $13,820)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Xavier University as Shenandoah University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Xavier University students is 28.2% larger than aid received Shenandoah University ($30,901 vs. $24,100)

Xavier vs. SU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Xavier or SU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SU or Xavier .

  • The average SAT score at Xavier University (1111) is 106 points higher than at SU (1005)
  • Incoming Xavier students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at SU (22)
  • Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Xavier (3.68)
  • Xavier has a higher acceptance rate (87.7%) than SU (77.8%)

Xavier vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Xavier or SU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SU and Xavier.

  • The graduation rate at Xavier is higher than Shenandoah University (77% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Xavier University earn on average $6,200 more per year than SU graduates after ten years. ($54,500 vs. $48,300)
  • Shenandoah University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Xavier graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • SU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Xavier graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Xavier graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/