![Students in front of Main Hall.](https://svu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20211026_MAR_Main-Hall-Photoshootmobile.jpg)
About SVU
Southern Virginia University is a private, faith-based institution of higher education aligned with the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at the southern end of the Shenandoah Valley, Southern Virginia University’s beautiful campus is home to a welcoming, close-knit community in Buena Vista, Virginia.
Facts & Figures
1996
Year founded
90%
of students are members of the restored Church
1000+
students on our close-knit campus
Founded by Latter-day Saints for Latter-day Saints.
A group of local Latter-day Saints founded Southern Virginia University in 1996 to provide higher education in a faith-supportive environment out East. Since then, more and more students are traveling from all over the country to experience our unique approach to education.
![SVU graduate.](https://svu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20230512_COMM_2023-Commencement-Ceremonies_EF_0474-2-1024x683.jpg)
Our Mission
![Students at the Richmond temple.](https://svu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20230317_CF_Richmond-Temple-Trip_EF_1096-1024x698.jpg)
Faith in Jesus Christ
![Students in collaborative classroom.](https://svu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20230222_MAR_Classroom-Shoots_EF_0182a-1024x683.jpg)
Academic Approach
![Student holding packaged iPad](https://svu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20220111_MAR_Ipad-Deployment_EF_0134-1-scaled-1-1024x908.jpeg)