Academic Comparison between VCU and SVU

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

  • VCU is a public and SVU is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • VCU has more expensive tuition & fees ($39,884) than SVU ($21,030).
  • It is harder to admit to VCU than SVU.
  • VCU has more students with 28,464 students while SVU has 936 students.
  • SVU has a lower number of students per faculty with 14 to 1 while VCU's ratio is 17 to 1.
  • VCU has more full-time faculties with 2,149 faculties while SVU has 53 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
VCU SVU
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Virginia Commonwealth Universityvs.Southern Virginia University
Richmond, VirginiaLocationBuena Vista, Virginia
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$16,720
Out-Of-State$39,884
2025 Tuition & Fees$21,030
70%% Receiving Financial Aid99%
$13,626Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,839
92.62 %Acceptance Rates96.42 %
21.59 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)21.44 %
1,130SAT Score-
25ACT Score-
63 %Graduation Rate33 %
21 %Transfer-out Rate24 %
85 %Retention Rate74 %
28,464Student Population936
2,149Number of Faculties53
17 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio14 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesStudy Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services