Buena Vista University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. generous financial aid cuts net price well below sticker.
About This School
Buena Vista University is a private nonprofit institution located in Storm Lake, Iowa with approximately 1,378 undergraduate students enrolled. Buena Vista University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 72%. The average net price after financial aid is $18,321 per year. The graduation rate is 47%, and the typical graduate earns $42,600 within 10 years of enrollment.
Buena Vista University is a private university in Storm Lake, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1891 as Buena Vista College, it is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. The university's 60-acre (240,000 m2) campus is situated on the shores of Storm Lake, a 3,200-acre (13 km2) natural lake.
The numbers tell a mixed story here — a 47% graduation rate is notably low, meaning fewer than half of students who start actually finish, which is worth taking seriously before committing. On the positive side, the average net price of $18,321/year is genuinely affordable for a private school, and median debt at graduation sits at a manageable $17,500. Worth considering if you're drawn to a tight-knit campus on a scenic Iowa lake and have a clear plan to stay enrolled, but families should ask hard questions about academic support and why so many students leave before finishing.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,378 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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Ankeny, IA · Public
University of Northern Iowa
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Kirkwood Community College
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Eastern Iowa Community College District
Davenport, IA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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