Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Longwood University vs Southern Virginia University: which has better ROI?

Public, Farmville VA · vs · Private nonprofit, Buena Vista VA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Longwood University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $76,264 in 19.1 years versus 54.1 years at Southern Virginia University, on median earnings of $52,347 vs $50,002 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureLongwood UniversitySouthern Virginia University
Net price / yr$19,066$22,213
Total net cost$76,264$88,852
Median earnings, 10 yrs$52,347$50,002
Median debt$25,000$24,224
Payback19.1 yrs54.1 yrs
20-year net return$3,476-$56,012

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Longwood University or Southern Virginia University?

Longwood University, at $19,066 a year after aid versus $22,213 — a gap of $3,147 a year, or $12,588 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Longwood University or Southern Virginia University graduates earn more?

Longwood University graduates report a median $52,347 ten years after entry, $2,345 more than the $50,002 at Southern Virginia University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Longwood University or Southern Virginia University?

Southern Virginia University: its completers carry a median $24,224 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Longwood University, a difference of $776. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

61% of students finish at Longwood University, against 33% at Southern Virginia University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Longwood University vs Southern Virginia University: frequently asked questions

Is Longwood University or Southern Virginia University a better value?
Longwood University. It clears its $76,264 net cost in about 19.1 years versus 54.1 years at Southern Virginia University, on median earnings of $52,347 vs $50,002 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Longwood University or Southern Virginia University?
Longwood University: $19,066/yr net price after aid versus $22,213/yr at Southern Virginia University — a difference of $3,147 a year, or about $12,588 over four years.
Do Longwood University or Southern Virginia University graduates earn more?
Longwood University graduates earn a median $52,347 ten years after entry, versus $50,002 at Southern Virginia University — a $2,345 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.