Buena Vista University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Buena Vista University is a private research university in Storm Lake, Iowa, enrolling about 1,366 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 77.61% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $49,156 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $41,798
- 2024 Average Net Price: $18,846 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 77.61% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 1,366 87.5% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 61.69%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
- First-Generation Students: 35.3%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 4.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 0.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 32.5%
- Average SAT Score: 1120
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,791
- Applicants (IPEDS): 1,544
- Room & Board: $11,330 annual estimate
Buena Vista University: what the data shows
Common questions about Buena Vista University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Buena Vista University?
Buena Vista University is located in Storm Lake, IA (ZIP 50588).
NCES locale classification: Town remote.
Is Buena Vista University public or private?
Buena Vista University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Buena Vista University cost?
Published tuition: $41,798.
Average net price after aid: $18,846.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $12,901 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $14,838 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $18,094 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $19,571 |
| $110,001+ | $24,967 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $167,192.
How hard is it to get into Buena Vista University?
Admission rate: 77.61%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1120 and midpoint ACT 22.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Buena Vista University?
Total enrollment: 1,366 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,791 students.
Graduate enrollment: 454 students.
About 87% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Buena Vista University?
150%-time completion rate: 61.69%.
First-year retention: 76.0%.
What do graduates of Buena Vista University earn?
Median earnings: $43,572 six years after entry; $49,156 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $25,000.
43.76% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Buena Vista University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Elementary Education and Teaching (92 completions)
- Curriculum and Instruction (80 completions)
- Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services (60 completions)
- Public Administration and Social Service (58 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (51 completions)
- Organizational Leadership (47 completions)
- Counseling Psychology (39 completions)
- Psychology, General (36 completions)
- Accounting (24 completions)
- Educational/Instructional Technology (22 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Buena Vista University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 77.61%; completion rate 61.69%; median earnings $49,156 at 10 years; net price $18,846. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$41,798
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Buena Vista University was $41,798.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$18,846
2024 Value
In 2024 Buena Vista University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $18,846.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$75,384 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$18,846 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$167,192 4-Year Tuition
$11,330 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$2,089 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$55,217 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$220,868 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Buena Vista University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
43.76% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
67.06% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Buena Vista University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Buena Vista University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $29,448 | $29,448 | $18,964 |
| 2014 | $30,406 | $30,406 | $18,394 |
| 2015 | $31,318 | $31,318 | $19,869 |
| 2016 | $32,210 | $32,210 | $20,177 |
| 2017 | $32,854 | $32,854 | $19,175 |
| 2018 | $34,004 | $34,004 | $20,087 |
| 2019 | $35,194 | $35,194 | $17,544 |
| 2020 | $36,426 | $36,426 | $18,054 |
| 2021 | $37,518 | $37,518 | $18,031 |
| 2022 | $38,644 | $38,644 | $18,475 |
| 2023 | $40,190 | $40,190 | $18,321 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
77.61% Acceptance Rate
1,544 Total Applicants
1,108 Students Admitted
217 First-Time Students Enrolled
19.58% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1120
ACT Average: 22
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Buena Vista University reported total enrollment of about 1,366 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 37% male and 63% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (78.1%), Hispanic or Latino (12.6%), and Black or African American (3.1%). About 43.76% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 35.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
87.5% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Buena Vista University in 2024 is 1,366 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,791 students. Graduate enrollment is about 454 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
76.0%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 78.1%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
53.73% 100% Completion Time
61.69% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 53.73% of students graduating from Buena Vista University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Elementary Education and Teaching: 8% male / 92% female
- Curriculum and Instruction: 19% male / 81% female
- Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services: 18% male / 82% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Buena Vista University.
Return on Investment
$25,000 Median Student Debt
$49,156 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
50.86% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
552.07% Return on Investment
5.1 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Buena Vista University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 60 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Elementary Education and Teaching: 92 completions
2. Curriculum and Instruction: 80 completions
3. Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services: 60 completions
4. Public Administration and Social Service: 58 completions
5. Business Administration and Management, General: 51 completions
6. Organizational Leadership: 47 completions
7. Counseling Psychology: 39 completions
8. Psychology, General: 36 completions
9. Accounting: 24 completions
Most popular programs at Buena Vista University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Buena Vista University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Buena Vista University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 32.5%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $6,912
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $7,966
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Buena Vista University is a private non-profit institution located in Storm Lake, IA, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Elementary Education and Teaching, Curriculum and Instruction, Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services. Enrollment is approximately 1,366 students. Student body composition includes White (78.1%), Hispanic or Latino (12.6%), Black or African American (3.1%). The admission rate is 77.61%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1120. The 150%-time completion rate is 61.69%. Approximately 43.76% of students receive Pell Grants. About 35.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
Location
Storm Lake, IA 50588
Region: Plains
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 60 distinct degree programs, Buena Vista University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Buena Vista University located?
Buena Vista University is located in Storm Lake, IA.
What is Buena Vista University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Buena Vista University is 77.6% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 1,544 applicants and 1,108 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Buena Vista University cost?
Reported tuition is $41,798 and average net price is $18,846 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $11,330 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Buena Vista University?
Buena Vista University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,791 students, White (78.1%), Hispanic or Latino (12.6%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Buena Vista University?
About 35.3% of students at Buena Vista University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Buena Vista University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Buena Vista University reports midpoint SAT about 1120 and midpoint ACT about 22.
What do graduates of Buena Vista University earn?
Median earnings are $43,572 six years after entry and $49,156 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Buena Vista University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 61.7% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Buena Vista University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $25,000.
Is Buena Vista University public or private?
Buena Vista University is a private nonprofit institution located in Storm Lake, IA.
Is Buena Vista University an HBCU?
No. Buena Vista University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Buena Vista University a tribal college?
No. Buena Vista University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Iowa college costs
- Iowa colleges by ROI
- Plains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Iowa
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.