Central vs Southern Virginia
Side by side: Mass and confession times, faith grades, academics, cost after aid and outcomes.
Central CollegePella, IACatholic life on campusSouthern Virginia UniversityBuena Vista, VACatholic life on campus
At a glance
- Central has the higher graduation rate: 66% against 33% at Southern Virginia.
- For families earning up to $30,000, Central has the lower price after aid: $16,231 a year, against $18,957 at Southern Virginia.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are higher at Central: $54,317, against $50,002 at Southern Virginia.
- Median debt is lower at Southern Virginia: $24,224, against $26,984 at Central.
The college
Control
Private nonprofit
Private nonprofit
Location
Pella, IA
Buena Vista, VA
Setting
Town
Town
Students
1,095
967
Academics
Academic Excellence grade
BAcademic Excellence: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
DAcademic Excellence: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Admission rate
86%
96%
Average SAT
1147
ACT middle 50%
20–26
Graduation rate
66%
33%
First-year retention
80%
74%
Cost and outcomes
Average net price a year
$23,377
$22,213
Net price, up to $30,000 income
$16,231
$18,957
Net price, $30,001–$48,000 income
$16,237
$19,501
Net price, $48,001–$75,000 income
$19,532
$20,630
Net price, $75,001–$110,000 income
$21,936
$23,407
Net price, over $110,000 income
$27,165
$27,108
Median debt
$26,984
$24,224
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$54,317
$50,002
The grades and the Compass Score are Catholic School Compass ratings from documented sources; each college’s page lists its sources. Cost, admission, graduation, earnings and debt are federal data. This page does not rank the two colleges.