SVU vs. WVU

Should I go to Southern Virginia University or West Virginia University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SVU or WVU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Marshall University JMU ECU Penn State TU Ohio University WCU Kent State WVSU Kentucky Old Dominion Mason
Southern Virginia University vs. West Virginia University comparison
Southern Virginia University West Virginia University College 3 College 4
Southern Virginia University West Virginia University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

SVU WVU
Location Buena Vista, VA Morgantown, WV
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 1,053 24,741
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #984 #559
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website svu.edu wvu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

SVU WVU
Tuition (In State) $18,858 $9,360
Tuition (Out of State) $18,858 $26,568
Room & Board $9,150 $11,618
Avg Net Price $23,274 $12,202
Avg Grant Aid $8,188 $11,685
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 94%

Admission

SVU WVU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,090 18,206
Admitted 1,084 16,091
Acceptance Rate 99.4% 88.4%
Enrolled % 35.1% 28.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.19 3.45
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 20/26
SAT Range 900/1250 1000/1220
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

SVU WVU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
  • English and Literature (13%)
  • Work and Family Studies (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Engineering (11%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)

Outcomes

SVU WVU
Graduation Rate 25% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,600 $50,600
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,654 $24,001
Median Loan Payment $244 $248

Diversity

SVU WVU
% Men 53% 47%
% Women 47% 53%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 81%
% Black 4% 5%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 3%
% International 2% 6%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

SVU WVU
% In-State 12% 42%
% Out-of-State 73% 57%

Campus

SVU WVU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • West Virginia University is larger than than SVU based on total student enrollment (24,741 students vs. 1,053 students)

SVU vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SVU or WVU?

  • Southern Virginia University is 101.5% more expensive to attend than WVU for in-state tuition ($18,858.00 vs. $9,360.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 40.9% higher at WVU than Southern Virginia University ($26,568.00 vs. $18,858.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Virginia University than SVU ($12,202 vs. $23,274)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 27% lower than costs at West Virginia University ($9,150 vs. $11,618)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Virginia University than West Virginia University (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 42.7% larger than aid received Southern Virginia University ($11,685 vs. $8,188)

SVU vs. WVU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SVU or WVU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WVU or SVU .

  • The average SAT score at West Virginia University (1078) is 37 points higher than at SVU (1041)
  • Incoming WVU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at SVU (23)
  • Accepted freshman WVU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at SVU (3.19)
  • SVU has a higher acceptance rate (99.4%) than WVU (88.4%)

SVU vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SVU or WVU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WVU and SVU.

  • The graduation rate at WVU is higher than Southern Virginia University (57% vs. 25%)
  • Graduates from West Virginia University earn on average $10,000 more per year than SVU graduates after ten years. ($50,600 vs. $40,600)
  • Southern Virginia University students graduate with a $347 lower median federal student loan debt than WVU graduates. ($23,654 vs. $24,001)
  • SVU graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than WVU graduates. ($244 vs. $248)
  • More WVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/