Buena Vista University vs. Central College

Should I go to Buena Vista University or Central College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Buena Vista University or Central 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. Central College comparison
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Buena Vista University Central College
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Overview

Buena Vista University Central College
Location Storm Lake, IA Pella, IA
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 1,951 1,095
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #719 #548
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) Reformed Church in America - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu central.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Buena Vista University Central College
Tuition (In State) $40,190 $20,988
Tuition (Out of State) $40,190 $20,988
Room & Board $10,896 $12,220
Avg Net Price $18,156 $22,499
Avg Grant Aid $34,333 $12,678
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Buena Vista University Central College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,544 1,978
Admitted 1,108 1,562
Acceptance Rate 71.8% 79%
Enrolled % 19.6% 17.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.52
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/24 19/25
SAT Range 930/1130 935/1205
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

Academics

Buena Vista University Central College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)

Outcomes

Buena Vista University Central College
Graduation Rate 55% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $48,000
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 78%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $279

Diversity

Buena Vista University Central College
% Men 4% 1%
% Women 22% 2%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 87%
% Black 1% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 1%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 3%

Students

Buena Vista University Central College
% In-State 74% 72%
% Out-of-State 26% 28%

Campus

Buena Vista University Central 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 Central College based on total student enrollment (1,951 students vs. 1,095 students)

Buena Vista University vs. Central College Cost Comparison

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

  • Buena Vista University is 91.5% more expensive to attend than Central College for in-state tuition ($40,190.00 vs. $20,988.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 91.5% higher at Buena Vista University than Central College ($40,190.00 vs. $20,988.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Buena Vista University than Central College ($18,156 vs. $22,499)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 12.2% lower than costs at Central College ($10,896 vs. $12,220)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central College than Buena Vista University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 170.8% larger than aid received Central College ($34,333 vs. $12,678)

Buena Vista University vs. Central College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Central College (1068) is 58 points higher than at Buena Vista University (1010)
  • Incoming Central College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Buena Vista University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Buena Vista University (3.49)
  • Central College has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than Buena Vista University (71.8%)

Buena Vista University vs. Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Buena Vista University or Central 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 Central College and Buena Vista University.

  • The graduation rate at Central College is higher than Buena Vista University (63% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Central College earn on average $6,800 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates after ten years. ($48,000 vs. $41,200)
  • Buena Vista University students graduate with a $2,978 lower median federal student loan debt than Central College graduates. ($24,022 vs. $27,000)
  • Buena Vista University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Central College graduates. ($248 vs. $279)
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 59%)

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