Buena Vista University vs. Columbia College

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

 Buena Vista University Columbia College
Location Storm Lake, IA Columbia, MO
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,973 6,046
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #714
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu ccis.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Buena Vista University Columbia College
Tuition (In State) $38,644 $24,326
Tuition (Out of State) $38,644 $24,326
Room & Board $10,680 $8,670
Avg Net Price $19,204 $22,824
Avg Grant Aid $33,703 $13,725
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 90%

Admission

 Buena Vista University Columbia College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,562 -
Admitted 1,207 -
Acceptance Rate 77.3% Open
Enrolled % 19.6% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.59
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/24
SAT Range 930/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 Buena Vista University Columbia College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (42%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (29%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Human Services (4%)

Outcomes

 Buena Vista University Columbia College
Graduation Rate 55% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $41,800
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 40%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $22,034
Median Loan Payment $248 $227

Diversity

 Buena Vista University Columbia College
% Men 30% 40%
% Women 70% 60%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 80% 55%
% Black 1% 25%
% Hispanic 4% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 7% 5%

Students

 Buena Vista University Columbia College
% In-State 58% 56%
% Out-of-State 41% 42%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College is larger than than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (6,046 students vs. 1,973 students)

Buena Vista University vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

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

  • Buena Vista University is 58.9% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $24,326.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 58.9% higher at Buena Vista University than Columbia College ($38,644.00 vs. $24,326.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Buena Vista University than Columbia College ($19,204 vs. $22,824)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 23.2% lower than costs at Buena Vista University ($8,670 vs. $10,680)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University than Columbia College (100% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 145.6% larger than aid received Columbia College ($33,703 vs. $13,725)

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

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Buena Vista University (3.49)

Buena Vista University vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Buena Vista University is higher than Columbia College (55% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Columbia College earn on average $600 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates after ten years. ($41,800 vs. $41,200)
  • Columbia College students graduate with a $1,988 lower median federal student loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates. ($22,034 vs. $24,022)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Buena Vista University graduates. ($227 vs. $248)
  • More Buena Vista University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 40%)

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