Private nonprofit · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Remote town

Buena Vista University

Storm Lake, Iowa. 1,366 undergraduates. Admits 78% of applicants.

58%Graduation rate3 pts above the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$18,855Average net price per year5% below the national median for similar colleges ($19,899)
$51,626Median earnings 10 years after starting12% below the national median for similar colleges ($58,912)
$23,250Median debt at graduation8% above the national median for similar colleges ($21,609)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($23,250) equals 45% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($51,626).

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$15,520
$30,000–$48,000$13,270
$48,001–$75,000$14,037
$75,001–$110,000$19,464
Over $110,000$25,296

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $43,052.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate58%54%
Return for second year76%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$47,288$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$51,626$58,912
Median debt at graduation$23,250$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

47 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Finance and Financial Management Services22$55,443$63,323$27,000
Accounting and Related Services24$49,546$62,532$27,000
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations0—$61,943—
Business Administration, Management and Operations65$58,278$61,801$27,000
Marketing19$57,294$61,417$27,000
Human Resources Management and Services0—$55,791—
Criminal Justice and Corrections10$47,239$55,312$28,568
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness14$40,063$49,914$27,000
Business/Commerce, General11$48,728—$31,534
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas24$45,411$48,651$28,000
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods92$42,272$48,365$31,000
Psychology, General36$41,311$45,552$27,948
Education, General8—$45,246—
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other3$46,704$45,221—
Human Services, General58$40,139—$37,217
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication7—$37,321—
Agriculture, General2———
Agricultural Business and Management13———
Animal Sciences4———
Natural Resources Conservation and Research2———
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication2———
Computer and Information Sciences, General7———
Special Education and Teaching11———
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics1———
Non-Professional Legal Studies4———
English Language and Literature, General2———
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities2———
Biology, General10———
Mathematics3———
Social Work8———
Criminology5———
Political Science and Government1———
Design and Applied Arts1———
Fine and Studio Arts2———
Music2———
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management2———
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs6———
Medical Illustration and Informatics1———
History5———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

78%Admission rate
1,120Average SAT of admitted students
19–26ACT middle 50%
13:1Students per faculty member
48%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

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Quick answers

How much does Buena Vista University cost per year?
The average net price at Buena Vista University, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $18,855 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Buena Vista University graduates earn?
Former Buena Vista University students earn a median of $51,626 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Buena Vista University?
58% of Buena Vista University students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Buena Vista University graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Buena Vista University is $23,250. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.