Buena Vista University vs. College of Saint Mary

Should I go to Buena Vista University or College of Saint Mary? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Buena Vista University or College of Saint Mary 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. College of Saint Mary comparison
Buena Vista University College of Saint Mary College 3 College 4
Buena Vista University
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Overview

Buena Vista University College of Saint Mary
Location Storm Lake, IA Omaha, NE
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 1,951 733
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #719
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu csm.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Buena Vista University College of Saint Mary
Tuition (In State) $40,190 $23,340
Tuition (Out of State) $40,190 $23,340
Room & Board $10,896 $8,650
Avg Net Price $18,156 $14,265
Avg Grant Aid $34,333 $19,829
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Buena Vista University College of Saint Mary
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,544 430
Admitted 1,108 189
Acceptance Rate 71.8% 44%
Enrolled % 19.6% 47.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.4
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 20/24
SAT Range 930/1130
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 College of Saint Mary
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 7:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Health Professions (76%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Education (4%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (4%)
  • Psychology (2%)

Outcomes

Buena Vista University College of Saint Mary
Graduation Rate 55% 30%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $41,300
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $268

Diversity

Buena Vista University College of Saint Mary
% Men 4% 6%
% Women 22% 28%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 74%
% Black 1% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 13%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

Buena Vista University College of Saint Mary
% In-State 74% 64%
% Out-of-State 26% 34%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Buena Vista University is larger than than College of Saint Mary based on total student enrollment (1,951 students vs. 733 students)

Buena Vista University vs. College of Saint Mary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or College of Saint Mary?

  • Buena Vista University is 72.2% more expensive to attend than College of Saint Mary for in-state tuition ($40,190.00 vs. $23,340.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 72.2% higher at Buena Vista University than College of Saint Mary ($40,190.00 vs. $23,340.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of Saint Mary than Buena Vista University ($14,265 vs. $18,156)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Saint Mary are 26% lower than costs at Buena Vista University ($8,650 vs. $10,896)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at College of Saint Mary than Buena Vista University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 73.1% larger than aid received College of Saint Mary ($34,333 vs. $19,829)

Buena Vista University vs. College of Saint Mary Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at College of Saint Mary (3.4)
  • Buena Vista University has a higher acceptance rate (71.8%) than College of Saint Mary (44%)

Buena Vista University vs. College of Saint Mary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Buena Vista University or College of Saint Mary? 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 College of Saint Mary and Buena Vista University.

  • The graduation rate at Buena Vista University is higher than College of Saint Mary (55% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from College of Saint Mary earn on average $100 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates after ten years. ($41,300 vs. $41,200)
  • Buena Vista University students graduate with a $1,978 lower median federal student loan debt than College of Saint Mary graduates. ($24,022 vs. $26,000)
  • Buena Vista University graduates are paying $20 less per month on federal student loans than College of Saint Mary graduates. ($248 vs. $268)
  • More Buena Vista University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of Saint Mary students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 59%)

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