Southern Virginia University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. graduation rate is below 40%. a private nonprofit school with 936 students.
About This School
Southern Virginia University is a private nonprofit institution located in Buena Vista, Virginia with approximately 936 undergraduate students enrolled. Southern Virginia University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 96%. The average net price after financial aid is $22,213 per year. The graduation rate is 33%, and the typical graduate earns $39,100 within 10 years of enrollment.
Southern Virginia University (SVU) is a private liberal arts college in Buena Vista, Virginia. The college, though not officially affiliated with a particular faith, embraces the values of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was founded in 1867 as a school for girls and is now a private four-year coeducational institution. The Carnegie Classification categorizes it as a very small baccalaureate-only college with an arts & sciences focus.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: while the $14,250 median debt is refreshingly low and freshman retention sits at a solid 82%, the 38% graduation rate is a serious red flag worth pressing the school on before committing. This is a strong option specifically for students aligned with Latter-day Saint values who want a tight-knit, faith-influenced liberal arts environment — but the $39,100 median earnings at 10 years suggests limited financial upside, so it fits best for students whose priorities go beyond career earnings.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 35% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (936 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
Southern Virginia University
1 University Hill Drive
Buena Vista, VA 24416
Official Links
Other Schools in Virginia
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Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA · Public
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · Public
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · Public
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA · Public
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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