Acceptance Rate
96%
Avg. SAT
1160
75th percentile
“Mountain-enclosed liberal arts outpost where Latter-day Saint honor code shapes chivalrous knights into scholars and lifelong friends.”
Buena Vista, VA
Location
Town
Campus Setting
Southern Virginia University traces its roots to 1867 in the rolling hills of Buena Vista, Virginia, evolving into its current form in 1996 as a private liberal arts college closely aligned with the principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You'll find a tight-knit community of about 1,300 undergraduates in a town of roughly 6,500 residents, nestled amid the Blue Ridge Mountains' forested ridges and river valleys. The school's personality radiates wholesomeness and purpose, with students embracing a knightly ethos of service, integrity, and mutual support. Motivated learners who value faith-integrated education and structured daily life thrive here, especially those preparing for church missions or family-focused careers; independent types seeking urban excitement or flexible social norms might feel constrained by the rural pace and communal expectations. Tradeoffs include a short list of majors due to the small scale and distance from major cities, which limits nearby internships, though the scenic setting offers low-cost living and natural beauty.
Photo Gallery
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
In SVU's classrooms, expect small seminars and labs where professors deliver personalized feedback amid discussions blending liberal arts rigor with ethical reflection. The curriculum shines in business administration, elementary education, visual and performing arts, and biology, with students tackling real-world projects like student-directed plays or market analyses. Research opportunities arise through faculty-mentored studies, fostering close relationships in a setting where undergrads drive the intellectual energy. Larger introductory courses occasionally exceed 30 students, and popular majors fill quickly given the modest enrollment.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
936 undergrad • 0 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
76%
Black / African American
5%
Hispanic / Latino
7%
Asian
1%
Other / Multi-racial
11%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Buena Vista, VA
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus pulses with organized fun: dances four nights a week draw crowds in formal attire, service projects unite groups weekly, and game nights fill residence halls. Nearly all students reside on campus in single-sex dorms with modest curfews, building instant bonds in a social scene defined by the honor code's no-alcohol, no-tobacco, chastity, and grooming rules. A typical week mixes morning classes, afternoon clubs, evening institute classes for religious study, and weekend hikes along the Maury River. Positives include profound friendships and moral clarity, but challenges surface in the absence of a rowdy party culture, gossip in a small pond, and long winters blanketing the mountains in snow. Proximity to hiking trails provides escapes, though off-campus options stay limited in this quiet town.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
USA South Athletic Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$19,447
$30K – $48K
$18,401
$48K – $75K
$20,232
$75K – $110K
$21,888
$110K+
$24,829
Apply for Financial Aid
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Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
74%
4 Years Graduation Rate
28%
6 Years Graduation Rate
43%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$50,002
74% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Southern Virginia University and return in the fall. 28% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 43% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
28%
4-6 years
15%
Non-grad
57%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$18,858
Acceptance
96%
Undergrads
936
4-Year Grad Rate
28%
Endowment
$6M
Buena Vista, VA 24416
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