Fast Facts

About Southern Virginia University

Southern Virginia University is a four-year private liberal arts college that serves faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and any who live by Latter-day Saint values.

Founding & Renewal

Founded in 1867 as a school for women, Southern Virginia University was renewed in 1996 as coeducational institution with a Latter-day Saint environment. More about our history.

Accreditation

Southern Virginia is nationally accredited, is a candidate for regional accreditation, and is certified to operate and grant baccalaureate degrees by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. More about accreditation.

Enrollment (Fall 2011)

  • 800 students from 50 states and 5 foreign countries
  • 50.5 percent women; 49.5 percent men 
  • 92 percent are LDS
  • 12 percent are married
  • 20 percent are returned missionaries

Admission (Fall 2010)

  • 3.24 - average high school GPA for incoming freshmen
  • 23 - average ACT score for incoming freshmen
  • 70 percent of all freshmen submit an ACT
  • 42 percent of all freshmen submit an SAT

Financial Aid

Ninety-eight percent of Southern Virginia students receive institutional, federal or state financial aid. More about financial aid.

Code of Honor

The Southern Virginia University Code of Honor seeks to ensure students live and study in an uplifting setting. Students uphold the core standards of integrity, chastity, morality, modest dress and abstinence from all forms of pornography, gambling, alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee and illicit drugs. More about the Code of Honor.

LDS Student Wards & Institute

Southern Virginia University is home to five student wards and the largest daytime Institute of Religion in the Eastern United States. More about the Buena Vista Virginia Institute of Religion.

Academics

The Core curriculum provides a common intellectual foundation for all Southern Virginia students. It focuses on great artistic, literary, philosophical, political, scientific, and social achievements, comparing these when appropriate with insights of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. More about academics.

Majors & Advisement

Art, Biology, Business Management and Leadership, Computer Science, English, Family and Child Development, History, Liberal Arts, Music, Philosophy, Politics, Spanish, and Theatre. Other advisement tracks: Health Pre-Professionals (pre-med, dental, etc.), ROTC, and Pre-Law.

Preparing for Graduate School

A Southern Virginia education is excellent preparation for graduate study in law, medicine, business, education, and many other professions. More about preparing for graduate school.

Athletics

  • Southern Virginia University is a member of the USCAA, a provisional member of the NAIA, an exploratory member of the NCAA, and competes against NAIA, USCAA and NCAA Division I, II and III teams.
  • Since 1996 more than 200 Knights have earned All-American honors and more than 170 have received national academic honors.
  • The Knights have claimed 37 small college national championships in a variety of men's and women's sports, and in 2010 won the USCAA's Director's Cup for the 4th year in a row.
  • Interactive and fun intramural programs.

Visit our athletics website.