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Founded in 1867, Southern Virginia University. is a Private college. Located in Virginia, which is a city setting in Virginia, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 800 full time undergraduate students, and 0 full time graduate students.
The Southern Virginia University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 14:1. There are 43 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Southern Virginia University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
45%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
35
SAT Range
928-1140
ACT Range
16-26
Admissions at SVU are considered More Selective, with ,31% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 21 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
71% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 38% were in the top quarter, and 15% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Southern Virginia University.
10%
“We”re apathetic”
20%
“We know about current events and vote”
67%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
3%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
13%
“Sometimes, but not often”
57%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
30%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
13%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
87%
“I feel extremely safe”
13%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
63%
“We bought the gear”
23%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
7%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
27%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
67%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
28%
“They keep regular office hours”
72%
“They”re always available”
90%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
10%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
87%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
13%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
0%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
73%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
27%
“There might be people who do”
0%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
10%
“We”re apathetic”
20%
“We know about current events and vote”
67%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
3%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
13%
“Sometimes, but not often”
57%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
30%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
13%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
87%
“I feel extremely safe”
13%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
63%
“We bought the gear”
23%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
7%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
27%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
67%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
28%
“They keep regular office hours”
72%
“They”re always available”
90%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
10%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
79 Students rated on-campus housing 3.7 stars. 15 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
62 Students rated off-campus housing 3.5 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
80 Students rated campus food 2.8 stars. 10 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
80 Students rated campus facilities 3.6 stars. 25 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
80 Students rated class size 4.7 stars. 80 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
80 Students rated school activities 4 stars. 39 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
82 Students rated local services 3.3 stars. 21 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
82 Students rated academics 4.3 stars. 57 % gave the school a 5.0.
Southern Virginia University REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Southern Virginia University?
33 Students rated Southern Virginia University
Makenzie
11/24/2024
Southern Virginia University is a very nice school. The environment is very friendly and welcoming. The classes are small so students can get to know professors as well as interact with other students. I love Southern Virginia University, and the learning environment as well as the social and athletic environment. Overall this is a great University.
Melanie
08/04/2024
I love Southern Virginia University! Going to SVU is one of the best decisions I have ever made. It is a way to go to college while also learning the gospel through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The teachers are amiable and always available to help you when needed. They will walk you through whatever you are dealing with, even if it does not involve what is in the class. If you are close to God or want to be close to God, I recommend Southern Virginia University.
daisha
01/07/2021
i really have no opinions i love it even tough i did the virtual tour! this school feels just right for me and fits with me and they have a lot of opportunities i can go for.! I have seen youtube videos about this school and they seem very very nice and if and when i do here i will love sooo much!
Shylee
04/08/2020
Southern Virginia University is a small school in a small town. It’s unique and I wouldn’t have traded my first year experience at SVU for anything. The professors are more than willing to provide help because they want to see you succeed. Because it is so small, the ability to provide the additional help you may need is available. They know you by name and their placement rates are incredible. The campus is beautiful and rustic. When you walk on campus you can smell all of the fresh trees and surrounding the campus paths. The crimson red buildings are elegant and tall. With the bright sun and humid wind blowing throughout the year, you will see pages of studying students rustle throughout the campus table and benches. In the bright green grass, someone is always playing a song on the guitar or playing a sport. The student body is so outgoing and there is always something happening on campus for students to participate in. Sports are highly encouraged and the teams are like families. The encouragement from the student body creates booming throughout the arena that will last in you ears and throats for days. Not only is the campus beautiful and the school spirit high, anyone involved with the school is amazing. I have never met people that are so kind and willing to help with anything you may need. The ability to make anyone feel loved is such an easy job for the people here. There is never a dull moment on this small town campus if you’re willing to try new things.
Beryl
04/08/2020
I love Southern Virginia University. I love the community and I especially love my relationships with my professors; they are so helpful and more than willing to help out. There's lots of ways to get involved and the performances are amazing. The choirs, band, and orchestra are amazing, and the theatrical productions are extremely well done.
SVU is a small community but that's part of its beauty; the sense of unity is so strong.
Overall, there's just such a positive atmosphere at SVU.
Merideth
02/27/2020
I love Southern Virginia University! They are a great school and really look to help their students succeed. Professors are so willing to help you with class if you are not understanding the material right away. If the professor isn't available for some reason there are tutors to help you understand too. They make it so easy to succeed.
The class sizes are small and intimate. I love this because it allows you to make connections with your classmates as well as with you professor which is super important for the future.
There are lots of clubs and sports which makes it super easy to get involved and find that group of people where you feel like you belong.
Katrina
11/26/2019
This school is the perfect place for me. I don't really know much on the sports aspect of this school because I'm not into sports, but I can tell sports and sport events are offered. The school does offer more core classes than other colleges though so that if you don't know where you are going the path to get your degree is shorter if you choose to change your major.
Rachel
02/28/2019
I love Southern Virginia University. The environment is so amazing. The campus is fairly small so it is easy to get to know a lot of the other students. There are lots of different activities to do. If you like history, this is the place to be. There is so much history in Virginia! If you like nature and being outside there are so many different hikes and other activities to do. Everyone is so kind and friendly. The small classrooms make it easy to have one on one time with the professors and easy to understand the work. All the professors work so well with the students, especially for different sporting events. This school is absolutely amazing and I have never once regretted going.
Brianna
01/13/2019
Don't work for them after graduation. You'll either be overworked, unappreciated or let go without warning or cause. Some professors were treated unfairly for their opinions outside of the institution. As a student, I adore and love and endorse Southern Virginia. However, as an alumnus, I am the total opposite. I wouldn't trade my time (as a student) at the university. But the abrupt (and at times corrupt) changes, views, and faculty, staff, board of directors have come to reverse my decision 180 degrees.
Cale
12/17/2018
Southern Virginia University can be the best or worst depending what someone likes. The campus is very small, only 1000 students and it is located in a small town, if you like a small town feel it is a good place to go. Sports are a huge deal and everyone is welcome, if you really want to play a sport in college even if you haven’t played it much you can at least join a team and work on your skills. Other than sports the school is big into the arts such as music and theater. I personally don’t like it because I like hot weather and big towns.
Sallie
09/30/2018
SVU is a small liberally arts school, focused on teaching students how to think and learn. They prefer to have small classes so students can really get to know and work with the professors. The classes focus on teaching from the sources; instead of reading textbooks about Socrates’ ideas, students read Plato’s dialogues. This school is perfect for anyone who does not want to feel like a small fish in a big school.
Bradleigh
06/13/2018
If small towns and friendly people are your thing, SVU might just be the perfect fit for you. I absolutely love it there. It's nestled right into the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the scenery is gorgeous. The town is really small, and the university even smaller, but it has a very friendly and close-knit environment as a result. The teachers are incredible - they love their job and they are good at it.
Pros:
amazing teachers, great academics, supportive and caring environment, gorgeous location
Cons:
small, not many places to eat on campus
Rebekah
05/22/2018
The teachers are great, but the students need to grow up. It is like the classic high school movie everyone is in a clique. You can't walk up and talk to someone as a friend because it is frowned upon. Most of the kids are two-faced because they are acting like high school popular kids. The administration is also very hard to get a hold of, you don't know who to talk to for anything because the faculty is left in the dark by a poor leadership that makes decisions without them A LOT. I would only recommend going here if you are not ready for college life and you just want to relive high school. The art program is pretty well funded especially the music program they have the most money after the sports teams. They do have a high rate of people getting accepted into Pre-med programs, but that is due to the amazing chemistry professor Dr. van Kuiken. She is responsible for its success since the school doesn't even support the Pre Med Society. There isn't much for science or pre-medical students. As for their computer/tech classes, I think they are decent. I personally haven't taken one but a couple of my friends are majoring in it and they are satisfied with their teachers and funds. The school is rapidly growing, but they don't have space so it might be snugger than what is advertised. They also talk openly in class about LDS beliefs since pretty much everyone is a Mormon, but even the Mormons are uncomfortable by it when the teacher talks about it for no reason unless they are talking about an activity at the church that is open to the public. The teachers and staff are wonderful despite being helpless since they are left in the dark, otherwise, they are very knowledgeable, open, available, fair, and approachable.
S
05/15/2018
I love Southern Virginia University! It is a wonderful University! I love the LDS Environment and the small class sizes. The professors are so wonderful and accessible. I have learned so much about myself and about my future from my professors. Southern Virginia University has truly changed my life for the better! Go Knights!
Alexandra
05/12/2018
If you are looking for a small liberal arts college then this is the place for you! We have small class sizes so our professors know all their students by name and are aware of everybody within the classroom and outside. We are in NCAA d3 and are big into our sports as well as performing arts.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Southern Virginia University is 45%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
Dear Desiree,
This is your future self, and I would like to provide you with some words of advice before you enter college. First of all, enjoy high school. Enjoy being able to spend time with your friends and family members who love you. Second, study for the ACT much more. A high ACT score will seriously enhance your opportunities for getting a scholarship. Third, do not give up on anything. If you know that "A" is attainable in math, no matter how often you need to go to th tutors, attain that "A." You can do it. Fourth, shoot for at least a 4 on the A.P. tests because some colleges only count 4's and above as college credit. Fifth, never change your dreams just because you feel intimidated by someone else. Take that intimidation and turn it into motivation to do even better. Sixth, get involved in extracurriculars, but manage your time carefully and put homework ahead of spending time with friends. Seventh, don't stress too much! High school (and life) is to be enjoyed. Embrace it and treasure each precious moment, because those moments don't last forever.
Best of luck,
Your future self
Those who wish to attend Southern Virgina University should be a person with high standards and moral values. The SVU Honor Code closely follows the values of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the Mormon church, and its standards. In fact this school's Honor Code closely follows the Honor Code that you would find at one of the BYU schools. A propective student planning on attending SVU should encompass its five core values which are scholarship, discipleship, accountability, enthusiasm, and refinement. They should be eager to learn, serve, be obedient, have fun and improve themselves.
Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!
It's a liberal arts college so the course requirements and majors are very broad, while other colleges are very specific. It's also much smaller than the other schools I considered. The environment at Southern Virginia University is very unique on its own. I haven't seen another college like it.
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
It is a small, amazing community; Where the classes are small and every professor knows not only your name, but how to help yyou make the best of your education. They are interested in helping you graduate. There is a honor code that makes life on campus better, because you know that every last person has the same standards as you have.
I am most excited about attending SVU because of the intimate learning environment and the strong LDS presence on campus. At larger schools it is all too easy to become a number, a mere statistic. SVU's approach to education, their "genius of small", is designed to best help students achieve academic success while still maintaining their individuality. The LDS values that shape campus life are both complimentary to the education program and they encourage students to make connections and to foster long-lasting uplifting relationships. At SVU you not only improve as a student but also as a person.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?
I will be a transfer student this fall so I am unsure of what this campus will have in store for me. I am trying to do the best research I can and so far the faculty has been very helpful.
What's the most frustrating thing about your school?
I can not afford to attend some times. I struggle with the finacial part of school. I love it at Southern Virginia University but even though i work so hard in my classes the scare of not being able to afford it frustrates me.
Southern Virginia University allows students a wholesome LDS environment where they are engaged in both the classroom and the community. Because of the smaller size of this magnificent university, students are able to interact with professors on a personal level which greatly enhances education. SVU is also a liberal arts college, so students are invited to explore a variety of engaging subjects as they learn how to become critical thinkers, communicate effectively, and gain and express enlightened opinions. Students who gain an education at SVU are prepared to enter the workforce or graduate school with outstanding confidence.
The classes offered are rather diverse, but the language department is lacking seeing as there is only a few teachers that know multiple languages. There would be more if enough people came in and wanted to learn a new language
What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?
Our school may not look diverse on paper but it is in life. I feel like there are not any stereotypes here. There are many boys who play football and have the leading role in the school play. We are more than meets the eye.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
98% of students attending Southern Virginia University receive some sort of financial aid.
37% were awarded federal grants.59%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
