C
Average
Score: 47/100
Overall (traditional)
F
Outcome Rating
31/100 · earnings-weighted

Southern Virginia University

4-Year Private Non-Profit
📍 Buena Vista, Virginia 24416
Southern Virginia University campus, Buena Vista, VA
Southern Virginia University campus, Buena Vista, VA. Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
ℹ️
Rating Context: ⚠️ Limited Data Available. Some metrics for this institution are incomplete or unavailable, which may affect the overall grade. Consider researching this school directly for the most current information.

Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (C+) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 38%
Outcomes
C+
64/100
Affordability
D
36/100
Resources
D
40/100
Experience
A+
90/100
Prestige
F
13/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

967
Total Enrollment
38%
Graduation Rate
82%
Retention Rate
17.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
100%
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Avg Net Price

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at Southern Virginia University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$50,002
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$36,988
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$24,224
Median debt at graduation
33.5%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
22
Median ACT
45.2%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 48% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 16th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (VA wage index 1.21). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at Southern Virginia University

Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Business/Commerce—$56,726-17%#226 of 271#254—
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$22,024$40,419-24%#445 of 476#467$17,125
Psychology—$36,808-27%#1015 of 1027#1026—
English Language and Literature—$33,115-32%#570 of 576#576—

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The Southern Virginia University Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $201,638
  • Avg rent near campus: $950/mo — vs ~$508/mo campus room rate
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 24526 (3.9% cap, Big Island)

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Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $19,790 $19,790
Room $4,570
Board $5,450
Total Cost (On-Campus) $34,416 $34,416

Financial Aid

100%
Receive Any Aid
33%
Receive Pell Grants
53%
Take Out Loans
N/A
Avg Net Price

Student Demographics

967
Total Students
48%
Women
93%
Traditional Age (18-24)

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 76%
Hispanic 7%
Black 5%
Asian 4%
Two or More 5%
Non-Resident 2%

🏠 Living Arrangements

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 100%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 93%
25-64 (Adult) 6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Southern Virginia University?
Southern Virginia University has an acceptance rate of 100%. This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend Southern Virginia University?
Tuition at Southern Virginia University is $19,790 for in-state students and $19,790 for out-of-state students .
What is the graduation rate at Southern Virginia University?
The graduation rate at Southern Virginia University is 38%. This graduation rate is low, which may reflect the institution's student population, program types, or other factors worth investigating.
Is Southern Virginia University a good school?
Southern Virginia University has a Repit College Score of 47/100 (Grade: C). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (C+): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (D): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (D): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (A+): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (F): Reputation and recognition
Note: As a smaller institution, we recommend focusing on the Outcomes score when evaluating this school.
How many students attend Southern Virginia University?
Southern Virginia University has a total enrollment of 967 students. Most students (93%) are traditional college-age (18-24).

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Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology