Buena Vista University
Private nonprofit four-year university in Storm Lake, IA that costs an average of $18,855 a year after financial aid, admits 78% of applicants and graduates 58% of full-time students.
Private nonprofitTown (remote)1,366 undergraduates
Cost of Buena Vista University
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $56,872 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $43,052 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $11,400 |
| Books and supplies | $2,018 |
| Average net price after aid | $18,855 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $15,520 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $13,270 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $14,037 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $19,464 |
| $110,001+ | $25,296 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with Buena Vista University's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 78% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,120 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 19–26 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 58% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 76% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $47,288 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $51,626 |
| Rank in Iowa (earnings) | 29th of 31 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $23,250 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $264 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 48% |
| Students with federal loans | 65% |
Majors and programs at Buena Vista University
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (54)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 119 | $58,278 | $23,072 |
| Marketing | 33 | $57,294 | $23,102 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 38 | $55,443 | $21,932 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 45 | $49,546 | $15,635 |
| Business/Commerce | 24 | $48,728 | $15,625 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 29 | $47,239 | $27,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 6 | $46,704 | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 49 | $45,411 | $24,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 175 | $42,272 | $23,915 |
| Psychology | 70 | $41,311 | $23,377 |
| Human Services | 109 | $40,139 | $24,937 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 33 | $40,063 | $27,000 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | 24 | — | — |
| Agriculture | 3 | — | — |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | — | — | — |
| Animal Sciences | 9 | — | — |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 2 | — | — |
| Biology | 22 | — | — |
| Business/Managerial Economics | — | — | — |
| Chemistry | 2 | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 4 | — | — |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | — | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 14 | — | — |
| Computer Systems Analysis | 4 | — | — |
| Criminology | 9 | — | — |
| Design and Applied Arts | 3 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | — | — | — |
| Education | 18 | — | — |
| Education, Other | — | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 5 | — | — |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | — | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 2 | — | — |
| Graphic Communications | 4 | — | — |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | 17 | — | — |
| History | 6 | — | — |
| Human Resources Management and Services | — | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 3 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 6 | — | — |
| Medical Illustration and Informatics | 2 | — | — |
| Music | 3 | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 2 | — | — |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies | 8 | — | — |
| Physics | — | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 1 | — | — |
| Public Administration | — | — | — |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 7 | — | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 12 | — | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | — | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 2 | — | — |
| Social Work | 13 | — | — |
| Sociology | — | — | — |
| Soil Sciences | — | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | 17 | — | — |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | — | — | — |
Master's degree programs (8)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 71 | $72,199 | $32,080 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 126 | $61,076 | $9,603 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 108 | $52,408 | $30,495 |
| Special Education and Teaching | 85 | $50,690 | $16,724 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 63 | — | $46,189 |
| Education | 5 | — | — |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | 40 | — | — |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | 25 | — | — |
Similar colleges in Iowa
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luther College | Decorah | $23,945 | 72% | $61,821 |
| William Penn University | Oskaloosa | $23,749 | 52% | $52,106 |
| University of Dubuque | Dubuque | $25,171 | 89% | $60,869 |
| Wartburg College | Waverly | $23,374 | 76% | $60,035 |
| Grand View University | Des Moines | $21,705 | 99% | $58,718 |
| Simpson College | Indianola | $20,460 | 86% | $57,816 |
| Northwestern College | Orange City | $24,716 | 80% | $57,028 |
| Dordt University | Sioux Center | $25,944 | 68% | $57,576 |
About Buena Vista University
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Storm Lake, IA |
| Setting | Town (remote) |
| Undergraduates | 1,366 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 13 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Higher Learning Commission |
| Website | bvu.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is Buena Vista University's acceptance rate?
Buena Vista University admits 78% of applicants. Admitted students average 1,120 on the SAT.
How much does Buena Vista University cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $56,872 a year (tuition and fees: $43,052). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $18,855 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $15,520.
How much do Buena Vista University graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $51,626 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 29th of 31 similar colleges in Iowa. The best-paid bachelor's program is business administration, management and operations ($58,278 a year after graduation).
What is Buena Vista University's graduation rate?
58% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 76% of first-year students return for a second year.