Buena Vista University vs. Grand View University

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

Buena Vista University Grand View University
Location Storm Lake, IA Des Moines, IA
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,973 1,827
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #714 #884
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu grandview.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Buena Vista University Grand View University
Tuition (In State) $38,644 $31,418
Tuition (Out of State) $38,644 $31,418
Room & Board $10,680 $10,956
Avg Net Price $19,204 $20,236
Avg Grant Aid $33,703 $22,893
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Buena Vista University Grand View University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,562 1,886
Admitted 1,207 1,856
Acceptance Rate 77.3% 98.4%
Enrolled % 19.6% 17.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/24 17/22
SAT Range 930/1130 920/1080
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Buena Vista University Grand View University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)

Outcomes

Buena Vista University Grand View University
Graduation Rate 55% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $43,900
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $23,908
Median Loan Payment $248 $247

Diversity

Buena Vista University Grand View University
% Men 30% 44%
% Women 70% 56%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 72%
% Black 1% 8%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 4%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 7% 7%

Students

Buena Vista University Grand View University
% In-State 58% 77%
% Out-of-State 41% 21%

Campus

Buena Vista University Grand View University
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 Grand View University based on total student enrollment (1,973 students vs. 1,827 students)

Buena Vista University vs. Grand View University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or Grand View University?

  • Buena Vista University is 23% more expensive to attend than Grand View University for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $31,418.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23% higher at Buena Vista University than Grand View University ($38,644.00 vs. $31,418.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Buena Vista University than Grand View University ($19,204 vs. $20,236)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 2.6% lower than costs at Grand View University ($10,680 vs. $10,956)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University as Grand View University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 47.2% larger than aid received Grand View University ($33,703 vs. $22,893)

Buena Vista University vs. Grand View University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Buena Vista University (1010) is 41 points higher than at Grand View University (969)
  • Incoming Buena Vista University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Grand View University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Grand View University (3.3)
  • Grand View University has a higher acceptance rate (98.4%) than Buena Vista University (77.3%)

Buena Vista University vs. Grand View University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Buena Vista University or Grand View University? 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 Grand View University and Buena Vista University.

  • The graduation rate at Buena Vista University is higher than Grand View University (55% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Grand View University earn on average $2,700 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates after ten years. ($43,900 vs. $41,200)
  • Grand View University students graduate with a $114 lower median federal student loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates. ($23,908 vs. $24,022)
  • Grand View University graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than Buena Vista University graduates. ($247 vs. $248)
  • More Grand View University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 59%)

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