Academic Comparison between VMI and SVU

Virginia Military Institute and Southern Virginia University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. VMI is a four-year, public school located in Lexington, 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.

  • VMI is a public and SVU is a private (not-for-profit) 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

Virginia Military Institutevs.Southern Virginia University
Lexington, VirginiaLocationBuena Vista, Virginia
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$21,046
Out-Of-State$52,638
2025 Tuition & Fees$21,030
68%% Receiving Financial Aid99%
$19,593Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,839
71.25 %Acceptance Rates96.42 %
31.73 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)21.44 %
1,180SAT Score-
28ACT Score-
76 %Graduation Rate33 %
20 %Transfer-out Rate24 %
81 %Retention Rate74 %
1,527Student Population936
143Number of Faculties53
9 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio14 to 1
ROTC, Study AbroadSpecial Learning OpportunitiesStudy Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services