Bellarmine University vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Bellarmine University in Louisville, KY with Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bellarmine University is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (2,886 students vs. 936 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bellarmine University is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Bellarmine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bellarmine University 12:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Bellarmine University vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bellarmine University 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 Bellarmine University than SVU ($23,165 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 8.8% lower than at Bellarmine University ($9,894 vs. $10,850).
• Bellarmine University is 129.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $27,490 more per year; $48,770.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 129.2% higher at Bellarmine University than at Southern Virginia University (about $27,490 more per year; $48,770.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Bellarmine University as at Southern Virginia University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bellarmine University students is 288.4% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($39,001 vs. $10,041).

Bellarmine University vs. SVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bellarmine University or SVU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SVU and Bellarmine University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Bellarmine University (1140) is 40 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming Bellarmine University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bellarmine University 1030/1250; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bellarmine University 23/28; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bellarmine University - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bellarmine University Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Bellarmine University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Bellarmine University (86.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Bellarmine University vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Bellarmine University vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bellarmine University and SVU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Bellarmine University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Bellarmine University earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,300 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $1,346 lower median loan debt than Bellarmine University graduates ($23,654 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bellarmine University graduates ($244 vs. $258).
• More Bellarmine University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.