Southern Virginia University
Buena Vista, Virginia
Private not-for-profit·Four or more years·Bachelor's degree
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Southern Virginia University is a private liberal arts college in Buena Vista, Virginia, founded in 1867 as a school for girls. It is now a four-year coeducational institution that is not officially affiliated with a particular faith but embraces the values of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Carnegie Classification identifies it as a very small baccalaureate-only college focused on arts and sciences.
- Rankings
#152 (Washington Monthly)▼
Liberal Arts Colleges
Ranked #152 in Liberal Arts Colleges (2025). Source: Washington Monthly ↗
National Liberal Arts Colleges
Ranked #182 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (2025). Source: US News ↗
Value rank
Ranked #1054 on Washington Monthly Best Bang for the Buck (2025). Source: WM Best Value ↗
- Tuition — In-State
$20,040▼
Total CoA (on-campus): $34,416
Room & Board: $9,376
Books & Supplies: $1,500
Receive Aid: 100%
Avg Grant Aid: $7,775
Pell Grant Recipients: 33%
- Tuition — Out-of-State
$20,040▼
Total CoA (on-campus): $34,416
Room & Board: $9,376
Books & Supplies: $1,500
Receive Aid: 100%
Avg Grant Aid: $7,775
Pell Grant Recipients: 33%
- Gas
- ⛽ $4.16 / gal
- Test Scores
SAT 943–1253▼
25th–75th Percentile
SAT Total: 943–1253
SAT ERW: 480–658
SAT Math: 463–595
ACT Composite: 18–25
- Admit Rate
- 100%
- Total Enrollment
- 967
- Undergrad
- 967
- Graduate
- 0
- Student-Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Retention Rate
- 82%
- Graduation Rate
- 38%
- Official Portal
- Visit University Site ↗
1 University Hill Drive, Buena Vista, Virginia, 24416
Visit University Site