SVU vs. Ripon College

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Virginia University is larger than Ripon College based on total student enrollment (936 students vs. 709 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Virginia University is located in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting); Ripon College is in Ripon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ripon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Virginia University 14:1; Ripon College 12:1.

SVU vs. Ripon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SVU or Ripon College? 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 Ripon College than SVU ($23,772 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 8.4% lower than at Ripon College ($9,894 vs. $10,800).
• Ripon College is 143.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $30,620 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 143.9% higher at Ripon College than at Southern Virginia University (about $30,620 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University as at Ripon College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ripon College students is 295.5% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($39,716 vs. $10,041).

SVU vs. Ripon College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SVU or Ripon College? 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 Ripon College and SVU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ripon College (1130) is 30 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming Ripon College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Virginia University 943/1253; Ripon College 980/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Virginia University 18/25; Ripon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SVU - Test-free; Ripon College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Ripon College students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Ripon College (79.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at SVU vs. 10.9% at Ripon College.

SVU vs. Ripon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SVU and Ripon College? 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).

• Ripon College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Ripon College earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $4,346 lower median loan debt than Ripon College graduates ($23,654 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ripon College graduates ($244 vs. $289).
• More Ripon College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.