Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Buena Vista, Virginia |
| Online | svu.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Distant Town |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad |
Southern Virginia University is a private liberal arts institution located in Buena Vista, Virginia, nestled in the Shenandoah Valley between the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains. The campus occupies the former Southern Seminary site, with its historic Main Hall serving as an architectural centerpiece of the 155-acre campus. While maintaining an independent status, the university follows the values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and primarily serves LDS students, though it welcomes students of all faiths. The institution focuses on providing a liberal arts education with notable programs in business, education, and the performing arts, while maintaining small class sizes and requiring on-campus housing for traditional undergraduate students. Southern Virginia competes in NCAA Division III athletics as the Knights, participating in the USA South Athletic Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
SVU is rated within the lower 26% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 3 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Southern Virginia University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#984 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#575 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#30 in Best Colleges in Virginia
#16 in Best Private Colleges in Virginia
#56 in Best Value Colleges in Virginia
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 900/1250 |
| ACT | 18/24 |
| GPA | 3.19 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $35 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,500 |
| Other Fees | $250 |
| Room and Board | $9,150 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,500 |
| Total One Year Cost | $33,258 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 21% |
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 15% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 14% |
| English and Literature | 13% |
| Work and Family Studies | 12% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering SVU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=233611 IPEDS survey data for Southern Virginia University.
Current students may use the Southern Virginia University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024