Southern Virginia University: A Pathway To Medicine?

Southern Virginia University is a private liberal arts college in Buena Vista, Virginia. It offers 17 bachelor's degrees and 18 minors, with popular majors including Business, Psychology, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The university has a small student body, with an undergraduate enrollment of around 1,000-1,200 students. While it is not officially affiliated with a particular faith, the university embraces the values of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The university offers a range of programs, including Health Pre-Professionals, Army ROTC, and Teaching Licensure. However, it is not clear if Southern Virginia University specifically produces medical students.

Southern Virginia University's history

Southern Virginia University (SVU) is a private liberal arts college in Buena Vista, Virginia. Although it is not officially affiliated with a particular faith, the university embraces the values of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

The university was founded in 1867 as a for-profit school for girls called the Home School for Girls in Bowling Green, Virginia, by Alice Scott Chandler. It was later renamed the Bowling Green Female Seminary. In 1883, Edgar H. Rowe purchased the school and operated it with Mrs. Chandler as principal. In 1900, Rowe moved the school to Buena Vista and changed its name to Southern Seminary. The school was located in the Buena Vista Hotel, which Rowe purchased. The original hotel is now the university's principal building, known as Main Hall, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1919, Robert Lee Durham, former dean of Martha Washington College, bought a half-interest in Southern Seminary and became the resident head of the school. In 1922, Durham's daughter, Margaret, married H. Russell Robey, who purchased the remainder of Rowe's interest in the school. Robey became the business manager and treasurer. Durham and Robey strengthened the school's academic program and added college-level courses to the curriculum. The first class of the new junior college program graduated in 1925. The period of greatest physical growth of the school occurred under the presidency of Margaret Durham Robey, who succeeded her father in 1942.

In 1959, the Robeys transferred ownership of the college to a board of trustees, and the institution changed from proprietary to nonprofit status. In 1961, the school stopped offering high school courses and was renamed Southern Seminary Junior College. The academic program was expanded to allow students to either begin careers after two years or transfer to four-year colleges. The school became a nationally recognised competitor in intercollegiate riding and changed its name to Southern Virginia College for Women to avoid confusion. In 1994, the college began admitting male students and was renamed Southern Virginia College.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Southern Virginia College experienced declining enrollment and financial instability, leading to a loss of regional accreditation in 1996. In response, the college's board of trustees transferred the school's assets and liabilities to a new board, many of whom were members of the LDS Church. Glade Knight was the main figure in this reorganisation. In 2000, the school was accepted into pre-accreditation status by the American Academy for Liberal Education (AALE) and was renamed Southern Virginia University in 2001. The university received full accreditation from the AALE in 2003 and full regional accreditation in 2012.

Southern Virginia University's campus includes twelve main buildings, with the original Buena Vista Hotel serving as the principal building, known as Main Hall. The university offers seventeen different majors and eighteen different minors, with programs such as Health Pre-Professionals, Army ROTC, and Teaching Licensure. LDS Church principles and activities are integrated into life and education at the university, and students can participate in an LDS Church Institute of Religion operated on campus.

SVU's accreditation and rankings

Southern Virginia University (SVU) is a private liberal arts college in Buena Vista, Virginia. It is a small, co-educational institution with an undergraduate enrollment of 1,170.

SVU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. It was first granted full accreditation by the American Academy for Liberal Education (AALE) in 2003. In June 2010, the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools awarded initial candidacy to SVU, and the university received full regional accreditation in June 2012.

SVU offers 17 different majors and 18 different minors. It also offers several pre-professional programs, including Health Pre-Professionals, Army ROTC, and Teaching Licensure.

In terms of rankings, SVU was ranked #182 in National Liberal Arts Colleges by US News and World Report in 2025. It was also ranked #114 in Top Performers on Social Mobility. Additionally, College Factual ranked SVU as the #1,779 Best for Money in the Nation.

Undergraduate enrollment and admissions

Southern Virginia University (SVU) is a private liberal arts college in Buena Vista, Virginia. It is a small private university with a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,170. Admissions are selective, with an acceptance rate of 99.4% to 100% depending on the year. The university offers 17 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 44%, and a student-faculty ratio of 17:1. Tuition and fees for students are $17,960, with the average net price being $23,274 after taking grants and loans into account.

To earn full admission, students must meet or exceed the minimum academic standards of a 2.5 GPA at any previously attended high school or college. GED certificate recipients must meet or exceed the minimum standardized test scores required for high school graduates. Students who do not meet the minimum academic standards may still apply and earn provisional admission. To do so, they must demonstrate their commitment to improving academically and adhering to the university's standards.

All applicants are required to submit their high school transcripts and official transcripts are required before beginning classes. While not required, a letter of recommendation is considered. Additionally, SAT and ACT scores are not required but can be submitted, with 9% and 52% of accepted students submitting their SAT and ACT scores, respectively.

The full-time faculty percentage at SVU is 82%, which is higher than the national average of 47%. The freshmen retention rate is 79%, higher than the national average of 68%. The on-time graduation rate is 18%, lower than the national rate of 33.3%.

Tuition fees and student loans

Southern Virginia University is a private liberal arts college in Buena Vista, Virginia. It offers 17 bachelor's degrees and has a student-faculty ratio of 17:1.

The annual tuition to attend Southern Virginia University is $18,858, with room and board fees costing an additional $9,150. The cost is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. Students should also budget approximately $1,500 for books and supplies, $250 for other fees, and $3,500 for miscellaneous expenses, bringing the total cost of attendance to $33,258 per year.

The average net price of attendance, which includes tuition, fees, room and board, and other expenses, is $20,834. This net price will vary depending on a student's financial need, with lower-income students often paying less. In 2019/2020, the average net price for students receiving grants or scholarship aid was $23,274.

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. 99% of full-time undergraduate students at Southern Virginia University receive some form of financial aid, with an average of $8,188 per student in the 2019/2020 school year. 36% of students received Pell Grants from the U.S. Federal Government, with an average award of $5,042. To apply for a Pell Grant, students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

In addition to grants and scholarships, students may also take out student loans to help finance their education. 47% of students at Southern Virginia University received Federal Student Loans averaging $6,250 per year, while 8% of undergraduates took out private student loans averaging $13,937 per year. It is important to note that student loans must be repaid with interest, so students should carefully consider their financial options before taking on any debt.

SVU's campus and facilities

Southern Virginia University's (SVU) campus is nestled in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. The university is located in the town of Buena Vista, which means "good view" in Spanish. The campus is surrounded by vibrant green hills, rolling rivers, and charming red brick towns.

SVU's campus consists of twelve main buildings, including:

• Main Hall: The most visible building on campus, used for administrative offices. It is located in the former Buena Vista Hotel, which was built in the 1890s and holds a place on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Kimball Student Center
• Knight Sports Arena
• Stoddard Center
• Von Canon Library
• Landrum Hall
• Robey Hall (men's residence)
• Craton Hall (women's residence)
• The Lofts (men's and women's residence)
• Walnut Avenue Apartments (men's and women's residence)
• Academic Center (the main academic building)
• Chandler Hall (theatre and music)

In addition to the main buildings, the campus area also includes several homes that are used for student housing and office space.

SVU offers a range of facilities and resources to support its students' academic and personal growth. The Von Canon Library, for example, provides a wealth of resources for research and study. The Kimball Student Center is a hub for student activities and services, while the Knight Sports Arena and Stoddard Center offer spaces for athletic and recreational pursuits. The university also has a strong focus on the arts, with Chandler Hall providing a space for theatre and music performances.

The surrounding area offers a wealth of outdoor activities, including nearby Shenandoah National Park, home to the Appalachian Trail. The campus is also within driving distance of several major cities and must-see destinations along the East Coast.

Frequently asked questions