Academic Comparison between SVU and VMI

Southern Virginia University and Virginia Military Institute are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. SVU is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Buena Vista, VA and VMI is a four-year, public school located in Lexington, VA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • SVU is a private (not-for-profit) and VMI is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • VMI has more expensive tuition & fees ($52,638) than SVU ($21,030).
  • It is harder to admit to VMI than SVU.
  • VMI has more students with 1,527 students while SVU has 936 students.
  • VMI has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while SVU's ratio is 14 to 1.
  • VMI has more full-time faculties with 143 faculties while SVU has 53 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Southern Virginia Universityvs.Virginia Military Institute
Buena Vista, VirginiaLocationLexington, Virginia
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
$21,0302025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$21,046
Out-Of-State$52,638
99%% Receiving Financial Aid68%
$10,839Average Amount of Financial Aid$19,593
96.42 %Acceptance Rates71.25 %
21.44 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)31.73 %
-SAT Score1,180
-ACT Score28
33 %Graduation Rate76 %
24 %Transfer-out Rate20 %
74 %Retention Rate81 %
936Student Population1,527
53Number of Faculties143
14 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio9 to 1
Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesROTC, Study Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services