Our mission is to:
We are a private, self-reliant, residential university aligned with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints and its principles and values. Faith Academics Knight Life Affordability Become a Knight 02 06 16 32 38
Gather faithful Latter-day Saints and like-minded students Lift them in intellect, character, and spirituality Launch them into successful lives and careers
Nice to meet you.
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Founded by Latter-day Saints, for Latter-day Saints.
Founded in 1996 by a local group of Latter-day Saints, Southern Virginia University is the only college on the East Coast that provides higher education in an environment aligned with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints* .
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With our mantra to “Love One Another,” we strive for our conduct, culture, and education to be in harmony with the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
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* Southern Virginia University is a non-profit institution that is not affiliated with, endorsed, or sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A sanctuary of faith.
Join our community where the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is taught, learned, lived, and loved.
Spiritually safe community with shared Code of Conduct*
Faith-supportive professors, coaches, and mentors
Largest Institute of Religion in the Eastern U.S.
Vibrant, active Young Single Adult Stake
*Our Code of Conduct is founded on the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, His commandment to Love One Another, and the Church’s 13th Article of Faith. This Code can be summarized in three short words: Faithful, Honest, and Kind.
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Small classes.
BIG RESULTS.
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Buckle up for the most engaging educational experience of your life. With an average class size of 15 students, you’ll always have a front-row seat to learning.
Take a look at one of our classes.
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Our amazing faculty.
Our expert professors are most passionate about teaching you . Working directly with you in small, interactive classes is their top priority.
“At Southern Virginia University, professors went out of their way to help me reach my specific goals. The time they give to students is unmatched.”
— Dalon Hampshire (’21) Liberal Arts Major 08
One-on-one attention from caring professors.
More face time and individual attention
More personal letters of recommendation
More meaningful, long-lasting relationships
Meet your professor at svu.edu/faculty
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Foundational. Flexible. Future-proof.
Our secret sauce to academic success.
Our innovative academic model allows you to tailor your education while developing the most in-demand skills in the workplace.
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Core courses are grounded in the liberal arts* to build a wide base of knowledge and develop key skills — analytical reasoning, critical thinking, and careful writing — foundational to any major or career.
Study what you love! Our broad majors and minors allow you to develop confidence and competency in your chosen field without restricting your career options.
Core Major Concentration
Our ever-growing concentrations allow you to personalize your education through specialized courses and internships to launch you into your career or graduate program.
* Liberal Arts: a broad term that can encompass everything from philosophy to economics. As a discipline, these subjects are intended to give you general knowledge and the ability to learn any subject — instead of specific skills needed for a technical profession.
Programs & Degrees
Majors/Minors
Art
Athletic Training*
Biochemistry
Biology
Business
Chemistry*
Computer Science
Creative Writing*
Design
Economics*
English Family & Human Development
History
Liberal Arts
Math Music
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Spanish Theatre
* Minor only
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Concentrations
Art History
Chamber Music
Choral Studies
Coaching
Digital Illustration
Digital Photography
Drawing
Entertainment Design
Graphic Design
Illustration
Instrumental Conducting
International Affairs
Museum Studies
Music Education
Music History & Literature
Music Industry
Music Therapy
Painting
Piano Studies
Pre-Dentistry *
Pre-Nursing *
Pre-Optometry *
Pre-Pharmacy *
Pre-Physical Therapy *
Pre-Physician Assistant *
Pre-Law *
Pre-M.Accounting *
Pre-M.Finance *
Pre-Medical*
Pre-Veterinary Medicine *
Printmaking
Public Policy
Publishing
Religious Studies
Sports Management
Teacher Licensure
Vocal Studies
And more! To see the full list of concentrations, scan the QR code or visit svu.edu/academics
* Designed to prepare students to seek a graduate degree
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An iPad for every student.
We give you an iPad, Smart Keyboard, and Apple Pencil at no extra cost above tuition — you get a leveled technological playing field, more collaborative classroom experience, and lower textbook costs.
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The best education married with the best technology.
We’re in elite company. 15
You’re not just choosing an education; you’re choosing a community
Your home away from home.
Some of your greatest friendships will begin in college. Our close-knit campus community of faithful, honest, and kind Knights makes it easy to find and build those relationships.
We can’t wait for you to join us!
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Housing. Dining.
Safe, convenient, and full of amenities to make living on campus an incredible experience.
Core components of campus life: Student Life. Wellness.
Perfect for the busy student, campus dining serves a variety of tasty, nutritious cuisines prepared daily.
From carnivals to laser tag to between-class snack breaks, there’s always something fun going on!
Dedicated to your well-being, we provide classes and services to promote your emotional and physical health.
You belong here.
Knight Life
Founded in 1996
1000+ students
51% male
49% female
22% from diverse or ethnic backgrounds
2 Local Stakes 10 Wards
9-in-10 are Latter-day Saints
88% are involved in an extracurricular
50% student-athletes
21% performing artists
17% clubs & associations
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Knights love Southern Virginia University so much they travel 5x the national average to attend! 1,300 miles average distance traveled 0 SVU Stanford Harvard Yale Columbia National Average *Based on data conducted by Niche, “Top 25 Colleges with Students Farthest from Home” All 50 states 25% 25% 25% 25% 400 800 1200 21
99.5% Admittance Rate
You belong here.
If you want an incredible education and are willing to strive to live by our standards, we want you here.
GPA of Incoming Students
Median 3.50
Limited options for college based on GPA
Lift at all levels.
Unlimited options for college based on GPA
We will lift you to greater heights whether you struggled or soared academically in high school.
$5.1 M Institutional scholarships awarded annually
nearly $500K Returned Missionary & Seminary scholarships awarded annually
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NCAA DIII athletics for Latter-day Saints
@svuathletics knightathletics.com
Raise the banner.
Take your game to the next level and compete for championships on one of our 27 athletic teams.
Since 2020 we’ve racked up:
13 Conference Championships
15 All-American Awards
51 All-Conference Awards
Go Knights!
4 Coaches of the Year 25
Get ready for your encore.
Receive world-class coaching and instruction from accomplished mentors eager to help you reach your highest potential in performing arts.
7+ vocal & instrumental ensembles
4+ annual theatrical performances
@svuperformingarts
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Virginia is for Lovers.
Come home to the heart of Virginia’s idyllic Shenandoah Valley, where you’re surrounded by the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, rolling rivers, and charming red brick towns. Buena Vista translates to “good view” — but in truth, the views are spectacular.
Niagara Falls
Palmyra
Boston New York
Philadelphia
Washington DC
Monticello
Jamestown
Outer Banks
Adventure is Less Than a Day Away
In a day’s drive from campus or less, you can experience must-see destinations.
Savannah Charlotte Atlanta Nashville Kirtland
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“I had so many opportunities at Southern Virginia University that helped me put together a really strong resume for grad school. I couldn’t have gotten those experiences anywhere else.”
Take charge of your future.
Build a winning resume and nail your job interview with the help of our career coaches.
Get into a top graduate program with guidance and recommendations from your professors.
A few places our Knights have launched:
Career Placement
Goldman Sachs
Mayo Clinic
Ford
Deloitte
Nike
Charles Schwab Salesforce
Disney
Adobe
Amazon
Grad School Placement
MIT
Harvard
Yale
Georgetown
UVA
Stanford
Johns Hopkins
Oxford
NYU
Duke
Microsoft PwC
Workday
U Penn
Northwestern
Notre Dame
— Lauren Morrison (’19), PA at the Mayo Clinic (#1 Hospital in the U.S.), Biochemistry major, Women’s Tennis Team Captain, Alpha Epsilon Delta Honors Society member
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A wise investment.
Accelerate & amplify your earning potential.
The average college student takes six years to graduate. Because of our innovative academic model, the average Knight graduates in four. Get ahead by graduating faster and see the compounding benefits of two extra years!
Payoff (Potential Earnings) $0 4 Time (Years) 6 Investment (Student Costs)
Average Private University SVU
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2 more years to serve a mission
2 more years of full-time salary
2 more years to attend a top grad school
2 fewer years of student loans
2 fewer years of tuition costs
2 fewer years waiting to launch!
+ 2 - 2
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/paying-for-college-infographic
Average Tuition Per Semester
– 2023
2022
A premium education at half the price. Our tuition is less than half the average for private colleges — and that’s before any institutional aid. Tuition before aid: $9,895 Southern
University $19,861
Virginia
Average Private University
You can’t afford not to.
A Southern Virginia University education is worth every penny. For an opportunity you can’t afford to pass by, we help make our education as affordable as possible for anyone who wants to be a Knight.
Scholarships & Aid
We award more than 5 million in academic, talent, or need-based scholarships and aid to 95% of students annually.
Interest-Free Payment Plan
We provide options to break up your tuition into convenient, interest-free monthly payments. Our financial team can help you leverage free government aid, federal student loans, student employment, and more. For more information, visit svu.edu/admissions/scholarships-and-aid
Even More Support
Questions? Talk to one of our friendly admissions counselors today.
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Seeing is Believing
Visit campus.
There is no feeling quite like being on campus. That’s why we’ll reimburse up to $400 of your travel expenses so you can experience it for yourself!
Plan your trip at svu.edu/visit
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Tour campus
Meet professors
Experience classes
Audition for ensembles
Attend athletics ID camps
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Looking for even more curated learning? Explore our Honors Program and apply at svu.edu/academics/honors-program Become a Knight! With rolling admissions, new students can apply anytime for the Fall and Spring semesters. Join Our Honors Program. 38
Start your free application. It takes under 30 minutes to apply at svu.edu/apply Transcripts and other materials can be submitted later in the application process.
Chat with your Admissions Counselor. You’ll be paired with one of our friendly counselors to guide you through the rest of the admissions process. They can help you:
Complete your application
Learn about financial aid and scholarships
Plan your campus visit
Answer your questions
Hit send! Once you submit all required materials, you’ll hear back from us with an admissions decision and academic scholarship award in a few days.
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See you soon. Want to know more? Southern Virginia University is certified to operate by SCHEV (State Council of Higher Education of Virginia). This publication was produced by Southern Virginia University. The information is accurate as of Spring 2023 and is subject to change without notice. For the latest information, visit svu.edu admissions@svu.edu 540-261-8400 @svuedu @southernvirginia @SouthernVirginiaUniv
