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    Buena Vista University

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    Overview

    Buena Vista University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Storm Lake, Iowa. There are currently 1,419 undergraduates at Buena Vista and the school’s acceptance rate is 77%. The tuition at Buena Vista is $38,644.

    Buena Vista is a Presbyterian school. That means that the administration is affiliated with the Presbyterian faith. Classes may be designed with religious principles in mind, or some schools may even incorporate prayer into their schedule. Other schools with a religious affiliation may not be as active in their incorporation of the faith. It's a good idea to ask an admissions officer or current student what role faith has at Buena Vista to help you make an educated decision.

    Buena Vista University

    Scholarships & Financial Aid

    $52,899

    Sticker Price
    Sticker Price

    $34,424

    Average Annual Aid
    Average Annual Aid

    $18,475

    Average Annual Cost
    Average Annual Cost

    Cost Breakdown

    Tuition
    $38,644
    Books & Supplies
    $1,126
    Room & Board
    $10,680
    Other
    $2,449

    Estimated Cost:

    $52,899

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    The sticker price at Buena Vista is $52,899. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.


    It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.


    College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Buena Vista would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.

    Buena Vista University Financial Aid

    Students who are applying for financial aid at Buena Vista University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.


    The FAFSA code for Buena Vista University is 001847.


    If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.

    Pell Grants at Buena Vista University

    43% of students at Buena Vista University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Buena Vista University.


    You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

    Outside Scholarships

    Buena Vista students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:


    Buena Vista University Financial Aid Resources

    If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Buena Vista or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!


    Here’s how you can get in touch:


    Admissions

    77%

    Admission Rate

    22

    Average ACT

    Is Buena Vista test-optional?

    Buena Vista University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.

    Rolling deadline at Buena Vista

    Buena Vista University accepts applications on a rolling basis. That means that the earlier you submit your application, the better chance you have of gaining admission and strong financial aid. Many schools with rolling admissions have priority deadlines, which means that students that submit their application before these dates have a better chance of receiving financial aid. Be sure to check Buena Vista's website to become familiar with their admissions dates.

    Academics

    Student/Faculty Ratio

    Student/Faculty Ratio 12:1

    Graduation Rate

    Graduation Rate 58%

    Popular Majors

    Percent of Students

    Education

    27%

    27% of graduates

    Business, Management, & Marketing

    27%

    27% of graduates

    Public Administration & Social Services

    12%

    12% of graduates

    Psychology

    6%

    6% of graduates

    Communications & Journalism

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Biological & Biomedical Sciences

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Agriculture & Agriculture Operations

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Liberal Arts & Humanities

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Computer & Information Sciences

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Visual & Performing Arts

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Social Sciences

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Health Professions & Related Programs

    1%

    1% of graduates

    English Language & Literature

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Natural Resources & Conservation

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Communications Technologies

    1%

    1% of graduates

    History

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Show More

    Student Body

    Undergraduate Students

    Undergraduate Students 1,419

    Pell Grant 44%

    Undergrad Students Over 25 31%

    Part-Time Undergrad Students 10%

    Percent Male / Female 35% / 65%

    Ethnic Diversity at Buena Vista

    78% White

    11% Hispanic

    3% Black

    3% Unknown

    3% Multiracial

    1% Asian / Pacific Islander

    1% American Indian / Alaska Native

    1% International / Non-Citizen

    Student Outcomes


    Graduate Income

    Graduate Income $49,156

    Median Debt $25,000

    Debt 10 years after graduation $265

    Graduation Rate 58%

    What is the graduation rate at Buena Vista University?

    58% of students who start at Buena Vista University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 0% less than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

    How much do graduates of Buena Vista University go on to earn?

    10 years after starting school at Buena Vista University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $49,156. This is $1,235 less than the national median.


    Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.

    How much do students at Buena Vista take out in loans?

    Graduates of Buena Vista have to take out a median of $25,000 in federal student loans. This is $11,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.

    Data Sources

    We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

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