Southern Virginia University vs Thomas University
Southern Virginia University and Thomas University, both private institutions with distinct characteristics, offer unique educational experiences to their students. Southern Virginia University, located in Buena Vista, Virginia, boasts a higher acceptance rate (85%) compared to Thomas University's 68%. With a smaller student body, Southern Virginia University fosters a close-knit community, while Thomas University's larger student population provides a more diverse and vibrant campus life. While Southern Virginia University excels in liberal arts and sciences, Thomas University emphasizes business, education, and nursing programs. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and other key factors that will help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey.
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          Southern Virginia University | 
          
        
          
             
          
          Thomas University | 
      
|---|---|---|
    Overview | 
||
| Location | Buena Vista, Virginia | Thomasville, Georgia | 
| Campus setting | Town: Distant | Town: Distant | 
| College type | 4 year | 4 year | 
| Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) | 
| Calendar system | Semester | Semester | 
| Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate | 
| Students retention rate | 79.0% | 64.0% | 
    
       
      Common app member
    
   | 
      No | No | 
| Religious affiliation | ||
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    Admission | 
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| Acceptance rate | 99.5% | 28.8% | 
| Application fees | $35 | $175 | 
| SAT range | 1018 - 1226 | 780 - 1240 | 
| ACT range | 17 - 26 | 11 - 29 | 
| Students submitting SAT score | 9.0% | 52.0% | 
| Students submitting ACT score | 52.0% | 35.0% | 
| Total number of applicants | 1,232 | 853 | 
| Total number of admissions given out | 1,226 | 246 | 
| Admitted students who chose to enroll | 342 | 83 | 
| Yield rate | 27.9% | 33.7% | 
| Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A | 
| High school GPA | Required | Required | 
| Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required | 
| High school transcript | Not required | Not required | 
| English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required | 
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    Tuition and Fees | 
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| Sticker price | $29,660 | $35,040 | 
| Average net price | $22,951 | $22,972 | 
| Tuition | $17,960 | $10,800 | 
| Room & board | 
                         
            Room/dormitory:
            $4,136
           
          
            Meal plan:
            $4,950
           
                   | 
      $7,040 | 
| Available payment plans | 
                        
  | 
      
                         | 
  
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    Financial Aid | 
||
| 
    Students receiving financial aid
     (Grants & scholarships)  | 
      
              
          97.0%
        
         Average amount $8,044  | 
      
              
          39.0%
        
         Average amount $3,219  | 
  
| Students receiving federal student loan | 
              
          53.0%
        
         Average amount $5,357  | 
      
              
          39.0%
        
         Average amount $6,393  | 
  
| Students taking out private loans | 
              
          8.0%
        
         Average amount $12,491  | 
      
              
          0.0%
        
         Average amount $0  | 
  
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    Students and Campus | 
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| Undergraduate students | 
              
          1,170
        
        
           Men 51.6% Women 48.4%  | 
      
              
          763
        
        
           Men 43.6% Women 56.4%  | 
  
| Graduate students | N/A | 
              
          625
        
        
           Men 17.9% Women 82.1%  | 
  
| Racial/ethnic diversity | 
              
           Low 
    
       | 
      
              
           Moderate 
    
    
       | 
  
| Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A | 
| International students | 1.1% | 0.6% | 
| Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | Town: Distant | 
| Dormitory capacity | 623 | 134 | 
| First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No | 
| Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A | 
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    Academics | 
||
| Popular study areas | 
              
  | 
      
              
  | 
  
| Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 12:1 | 
| Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | 
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    Outcome | 
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| Graduation rate | 44.3% | 47.9% | 
| Dropout rate | 38.8% | 52.1% | 
| Transferred out | 14.9% | N/A | 
| Alumni salary by major (Top 10) | 
               
              
                
                  Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                  
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                  Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                  
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      Common app member