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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Buena Vista University vs. Columbia College comparison
Buena Vista University Columbia College College 3 College 4
Buena Vista University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Buena Vista University Columbia College
Location Storm Lake, IA Columbia, SC
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,973 1,514
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #714 #913
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu columbiasc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Buena Vista University Columbia College
Tuition (In State) $38,644 $21,250
Tuition (Out of State) $38,644 $21,250
Room & Board $10,680 $8,400
Avg Net Price $19,204 $18,779
Avg Grant Aid $33,703 $16,089
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 97%

Admission

 Buena Vista University Columbia College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,562 2,176
Admitted 1,207 2,135
Acceptance Rate 77.3% 98.1%
Enrolled % 19.6% 8.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.56
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/24 14/18
SAT Range 930/1130 850/1140
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 Columbia College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

 Buena Vista University Columbia College
Graduation Rate 55% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $34,700
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $25,264
Median Loan Payment $248 $261

Diversity

 Buena Vista University Columbia College
% Men 30% 15%
% Women 70% 85%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 80% 55%
% Black 1% 34%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

 Buena Vista University Columbia College
% In-State 58% 76%
% Out-of-State 41% 22%

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

  • Buena Vista University is larger than than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (1,973 students vs. 1,514 students)

Buena Vista University vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

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

  • Buena Vista University is 81.9% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $21,250.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 81.9% higher at Buena Vista University than Columbia College ($38,644.00 vs. $21,250.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia College than Buena Vista University ($18,779 vs. $19,204)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 27.1% lower than costs at Buena Vista University ($8,400 vs. $10,680)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University than Columbia College (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 109.5% larger than aid received Columbia College ($33,703 vs. $16,089)

Buena Vista University vs. Columbia College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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 .

  • The average SAT score at Buena Vista University (1010) is 39 points higher than at Columbia College (971)
  • Incoming Buena Vista University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Columbia College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Buena Vista University (3.49)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Buena Vista University (77.3%)

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. 50%)
  • Graduates from Buena Vista University earn on average $6,500 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $34,700)
  • Buena Vista University students graduate with a $1,242 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($24,022 vs. $25,264)
  • Buena Vista University graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($248 vs. $261)
  • 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. 43%)

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