Buena Vista University vs. Adrian College

Should I go to Buena Vista University or Adrian College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Buena Vista University or Adrian College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Buena Vista University vs. Adrian College comparison
Buena Vista University Adrian College College 3 College 4
Buena Vista University Adrian College
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Overview

Buena Vista University Adrian College
Location Storm Lake, IA Adrian, MI
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 1,951 1,760
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #719 #800
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu adrian.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Buena Vista University Adrian College
Tuition (In State) $40,190 $39,280
Tuition (Out of State) $40,190 $39,280
Room & Board $10,896 $13,424
Avg Net Price $18,156 $22,053
Avg Grant Aid $34,333 $32,923
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

Buena Vista University Adrian College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,544 3,054
Admitted 1,108 2,088
Acceptance Rate 71.8% 68.4%
Enrolled % 19.6% 23.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.2
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 20/24 18/26
SAT Range 930/1130 880/1120
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

Buena Vista University Adrian College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

Buena Vista University Adrian College
Graduation Rate 55% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $39,900
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $279

Diversity

Buena Vista University Adrian College
% Men 4% 2%
% Women 22% 2%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 72%
% Black 1% 9%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 4%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 9%

Students

Buena Vista University Adrian College
% In-State 74% 67%
% Out-of-State 26% 27%

Campus

Buena Vista University Adrian College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Buena Vista University is larger than than Adrian College based on total student enrollment (1,951 students vs. 1,760 students)

Buena Vista University vs. Adrian College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or Adrian College?

  • Buena Vista University is 2.3% more expensive to attend than Adrian College for in-state tuition ($40,190.00 vs. $39,280.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.3% higher at Buena Vista University than Adrian College ($40,190.00 vs. $39,280.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Buena Vista University than Adrian College ($18,156 vs. $22,053)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 23.2% lower than costs at Adrian College ($10,896 vs. $13,424)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University as Adrian College (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 4.3% larger than aid received Adrian College ($34,333 vs. $32,923)

Buena Vista University vs. Adrian College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Buena Vista University or Adrian College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Adrian College or Buena Vista University .

  • The average SAT score at Buena Vista University (1010) is 2 points higher than at Adrian College (1008)
  • Incoming Buena Vista University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Adrian College (22)
  • Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Adrian College (3.2)
  • Buena Vista University has a higher acceptance rate (71.8%) than Adrian College (68.4%)

Buena Vista University vs. Adrian College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Buena Vista University or Adrian College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Adrian College and Buena Vista University.

  • The graduation rate at Buena Vista University is higher than Adrian College (55% vs. 49%)
  • Graduates from Buena Vista University earn on average $1,300 more per year than Adrian College graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $39,900)
  • Buena Vista University students graduate with a $2,978 lower median federal student loan debt than Adrian College graduates. ($24,022 vs. $27,000)
  • Buena Vista University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Adrian College graduates. ($248 vs. $279)
  • More Adrian College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/