The small size of the university makes it possible for each student to receive individual attention. Students at SVU do not get lost in large classrooms but are given an opportunity to shine in small and rigorous classes that require students to be prepared, to participate, and to develop critical thinking and writing skills.

Character and spiritual development are just as important at SVU as academic success. Values such as honesty and integrity are intertwined in everything that is done at SVU. Our mission is to prepare leader-servants in the home, the Church, and the world. As a residential liberal arts university committed to providing an excellent and broad-based education in an environment fully supportive of the values and teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Southern Virginia University is ideally suited to help develop leader-servants. Our students take our motto, "Learn that Life is Service," seriously and contribute thousands of hours of service on an annual basis.

SVU makes college affordable. Virginia residents receive a State Tuition Assistance Grant ranging between $2,500-$3,000. The university also awards academic scholarships ranging from $1,000- $10,000 to home schooled students based on their transcript, GED, or portfolio, and ACT or SAT scores.  Students may also be eligible for the Marriott Scholarship, worth up to $14,000.  

SVU is a university that readily accepts home-schooled students. Applicants who have received their secondary education at home are encouraged to apply for admission to the University. Along with the standard admissions requirement of an ACT or SAT test score, home schooled applicants should submit a transcript or portfolio demonstrating the applicant's curriculum.  A GED score is not required, but may be submitted in lieu of a transcript or portfolio.