Kent State vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Kent State University at Kent in Kent, OH with Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kent State University at Kent is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (26,374 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kent State University at Kent is located in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Kent State University at Kent is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kent State University at Kent 20:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Kent State vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kent State 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 Kent State University at Kent than SVU ($21,278 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 28.3% lower than at Kent State University at Kent ($9,894 vs. $13,794).
• Southern Virginia University is 60.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State (about $8,048 more per year; $21,280.00 vs. $13,232.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.5% higher at Kent State than at Southern Virginia University (about $1,802 more per year; $23,082.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at Kent State University at Kent (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kent State University at Kent students is 0.3% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($10,076 vs. $10,041).

Kent State vs. SVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kent State or SVU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SVU and Kent State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kent State University at Kent (1130) is 30 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming Kent State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at SVU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kent State University at Kent 18/25; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kent State - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kent State students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Kent State (86.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Kent State vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Kent State vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kent State and SVU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Kent State University at Kent's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Southern Virginia University earn a median of about $300 more per year than Kent State graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $2,171 lower median loan debt than Kent State graduates ($23,654 vs. $25,825).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State graduates ($244 vs. $267).
• More SVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 46%)

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.