Southern Virginia University
#4 Best Psychology Colleges in Virginia- Graduation Rate
- 36% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $50,002 B-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $22,213 D+
- 30% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 96% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A D+ overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 17.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $17.0 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Psychology Colleges in Virginia.
Every $1 spent returns $17.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,422,698.
What The Data Says
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A D+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 23% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 36% — 37% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $17.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Southern Virginia University Matters
Southern Virginia University is a private liberal arts college in Buena Vista, VA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 936
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Southern Virginia University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 96% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $22,213 a year after grants and scholarships — 30% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $50,002 ten years after enrolling — 23% above the typical college, against $24,224 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 84% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.65 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Southern Virginia University is a good fit for students who appreciate a close-knit academic community. With an enrollment of 936 and a high acceptance rate of 96%, it welcomes a diverse range of learners. Here, students can dive into programs like Business & Marketing, Psychology, and Biology, along with options in Visual & Performing Arts and Humanities, creating a broad educational experience that encourages exploration and personal growth.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $50,002 within ten years. This income level is encouraging, especially for those considering the financial commitment of their education. The net price after aid stands at $22,213, which helps make higher education more accessible. While the graduation rate is 36%, it's important to consider that many students are still finding their path and can benefit from the supportive environment offered here.
In terms of financial outcomes, students often leave with a median debt of $24,224. This level of debt is manageable for many graduates, particularly given the reasonable net price. Students who thrive at Southern Virginia University are typically those who value community and are motivated to engage deeply with their studies, making the most of the unique programs available.
Rankings
- #4 Best Psychology Colleges in Virginia
- #13 Best Biology Colleges in Virginia
- #20 Best Business Colleges in Virginia
- #22 Best Computer Science Colleges in Virginia
- #22 Best Data Science Colleges in Virginia
- #29 Best Bachelor's Programs in Virginia
- #29 Best Master's Programs in Virginia
- #31 Best Colleges in Virginia
Can I Get In?
How selective Southern Virginia University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Southern Virginia University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Southern Virginia University, located in Buena Vista, Virginia, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 22. The graduation rate is roughly 36%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 96%
- Retention Rate
- 74%
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- Full-Time Faculty
- 64%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,553
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.46
- First-Gen Students
- 17%
- Applicants
- 1,090
- Admitted
- 1,084
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southern Virginia University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southern Virginia University is $21,280, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,213. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,957 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,224 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $21,280
- Out-of-State
- $21,280
- Avg Net Price
- $22,213
- Median Debt
- $24,224
- Pell Grant Rate
- 45%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 57%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $18,957
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $19,501
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $20,630
- Family Income $110K+
- $27,108
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Southern Virginia University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Southern Virginia University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southern Virginia University earn a median of $50,002, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $36,988
- 8 Years
- $39,289
- 10 Years
- $50,002
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.48x
- Earning > $25K
- 44%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (51)
- 28%
- 100% (51)
- 28%
- 100% (51)
- 28%
- 100% (51)
- 28%
How Southern Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Southern Virginia University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Southern Virginia University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $22,213/year ($88,852 total). Graduates earn $50,002 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,511,550 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,422,698 (17.0× your investment). The median debt is $24,224, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 36% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $88,852
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,511,550
- Net Return
- $1,422,698
- ROI Multiple
- 17.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $22,213
- Median Debt
- $24,224
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 36%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Southern Virginia University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southern Virginia University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.87%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 7.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $84,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.87%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 11.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 7.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $114,806
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $1,665,438
- Federal Grants
- $4,620,491
- Investment Income
- $-298,654
Top Programs
The fields Southern Virginia University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 23% $42,300 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 19%
- Psychology 16%
- Visual & Performing Arts 12%
- Social Sciences 4%
- Computer Science & IT 3%
- English & Literature 3%
- Humanities 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Southern Virginia University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Southern Virginia University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Southern Virginia University, located in Buena Vista, Virginia, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 22. The graduation rate is roughly 36%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southern Virginia University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southern Virginia University is $21,280, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,213. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,957 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,224 in federal student loans.
Is Southern Virginia University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southern Virginia University earn a median of $50,002, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Southern Virginia University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southern Virginia University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.87%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 7.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $84,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Southern Virginia University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Southern Virginia University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.65, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Southern Virginia University.
- Rochester Christian UniversityRochester Hills, MI · Close peer43% grad $48,707 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Life UniversityMarietta, GA · Close peer36% grad $47,397 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Piedmont UniversityDemorest, GA · Close peer44% grad $49,130 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bethel UniversityMishawaka, IN · Close peer55% grad $48,860 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity
- The University of OlivetOlivet, MI · Close peer36% grad $47,907 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Wilmington CollegeWilmington, OH · Close peer51% grad $48,491 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Southern Virginia University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Southern Virginia University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.65, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note