Southern Virginia University campus
Southern Virginia University logo

Southern Virginia University

Type 4 year, Private
Business Model Non Profit
Campus locale Town: Distant
Degrees offered Undergraduate
Calendar system Semester
Student body size Small
Dormitory capacity 623
Student to faculty ratio 17 to 1
Acceptance rate 100%
Students retention rate 79%
On-time graduation rate 44%

Located in Buena Vista, Virginia, Southern Virginia University is a private, non profit institution that offers undergraduate degrees. The college operates on a semester-based calendar system, providing students with structured academic terms.

The acceptance rate of 100% indicates that Southern Virginia University is open to a wide range of applicants, providing opportunities for a diverse student body.

Southern Virginia University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

The student-to-faculty ratio at Southern Virginia University is 17-to-1, which is slightly higher than both the state and national averages. The state average student-to-faculty ratio in Virginia is 14-to-1, while the national average is 12-to-1. A lower student-to-faculty ratio generally allows for more personalized attention and interaction between students and faculty.

While the on-time graduation rate at Southern Virginia University is reported to be 44%, it is essential to consider the context of this statistic. For comparison, Virginia state's graduation rate for the 2021-2022 was 67% whereas the national average was 58%.

Southern Virginia University boasts an impressive student retention rate of 79% , indicating that the majority of students choose to continue their education at the institution. This number surpasses both the state and national averages of 81% and 74%, respectively.


  • Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • The institution provides on-campus housing

Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021 admitted students

99.5%

In-State Tuition & Fees

$17,960

Cost of attendance at Southern Virginia University in 2022 for students from Virginia.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 4 year Non Profit, private colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Virginia's average $14,223
National average $30,235

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$17,960

Cost of attendance at Southern Virginia University in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 4 year Non Profit, private colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Virginia's average $33,092
National average $30,238

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 97 of freshman students at Southern Virginia University received on average $8,044 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$8,044
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 115 40% $4,833 $555,779
Other Federal Grant 118 41% $4,914 $579,903
State Grant/Scholarships 45 15% $3,533 $158,994
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 278 96% $5,502 $1,529,466
Total Grant & Scholarships 282 97% $8,044 $2,268,363

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of Southern Virginia University students who enrolled in 2015 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of Southern Virginia University students is 44.3%. Female students graduated at a rate of 51.8%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 35.2%.

44.3%

  • asian 100.0% 2 students
  • white 44.1% 71 students
  • hispanic 45.4% 5 students
  • Mixed Race 62.5% 10 students

Sport Conferences

  • Football USA South Athletic Conference
  • Baseball USA South Athletic Conference
  • Basketball USA South Athletic Conference
  • Track and Cross Country USA South Athletic Conference

Athletic Associations

  • NCAA
    National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Service Offerings

Southern Virginia University provides the following additional services to its students
  • Remedial services
  • Placement services for graduates
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

Southern Virginia University offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic

Special Learning Opportunities

  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification

Veteran Services

  • Credit for military training
  • Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)

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