Buena Vista University vs. ESU

Comparable Facts

Compare Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA with Emporia State University in Emporia, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Emporia State University is larger than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (4,557 students vs. 1,890 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Buena Vista University is located in Storm Lake, IA (Remote Town setting); Emporia State University is in Emporia, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Buena Vista University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emporia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Buena Vista University 13:1; Emporia State University 16:1.

Buena Vista University vs. ESU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or ESU ? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Emporia State University than Buena Vista University ($16,094 vs. $19,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emporia State University are 3.4% lower than at Buena Vista University ($10,950 vs. $11,330).
• Buena Vista University is 488.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ESU (about $34,692 more per year; $41,798.00 vs. $7,106.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 171.1% higher at Buena Vista University than at Emporia State University (about $26,379 more per year; $41,798.00 vs. $15,419.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Buena Vista University than at Emporia State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 478% larger than aid received by Emporia State University students ($34,397 vs. $5,951).

Buena Vista University vs. ESU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Buena Vista University or ESU ? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ESU and Buena Vista University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Buena Vista University 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Buena Vista University 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buena Vista University - Test optional; ESU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at ESU (3.41).
• ESU has a higher acceptance rate (97.7%) than Buena Vista University (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at Buena Vista University vs. 22.9% at ESU .

Buena Vista University vs. ESU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Buena Vista University and ESU ? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Buena Vista University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Emporia State University's (43%).
• Graduates from Buena Vista University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than ESU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emporia State University graduates have a $4,603 lower median loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates ($19,419 vs. $24,022).
• Among borrowers, ESU graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Buena Vista University graduates ($200 vs. $248).
• More ESU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.