Southern Virginia University

Southern Virginia University is a private, self-reliant, residential university aligned with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its principles and values.

Southern Virginia University mission is to gather faithful Latter-day Saints and like-minded students, lift them in intellect, character, and spirituality, and launch them into successful lives and careers.

A group of Latter-day Saints in Virginia, led by Glade M. Knight, assume responsibility for the school and renew it as a four-year, liberal arts college aligned with the principles and values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Over the past two decades, our student body has climbed from 73 to 1,035, with more growth projected in the immediate future.

Southern Virginia University is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the rural setting of the small town of Buena Vista (population range of 2,500-9,999 inhabitants), Virginia. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Southern Virginia University (SVU) is a very small (uniRank enrollment range: 500-999 students) coeducational higher education institution. Southern Virginia University (SVU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 152 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.