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 1,366 undergraduate students enrolled. Buena Vista University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 78%. The average net price after financial aid is $18,846 per year. The graduation rate is 62%, 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
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 27% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
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 (1,366 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Iowa
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University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA · Public
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA · Public
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA · Public
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA · Public
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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