Buena Vista University vs. Gustavus Adolphus College

Comparable Facts

Compare Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA with Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gustavus Adolphus College is larger than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (1,906 students vs. 1,890 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Buena Vista University is located in Storm Lake, IA (Remote Town setting); Gustavus Adolphus College is in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Buena Vista University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Gustavus Adolphus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Buena Vista University 13:1; Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1.

Buena Vista University vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or Gustavus Adolphus College? 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 Buena Vista University than Gustavus Adolphus College ($19,704 vs. $26,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 4% lower than at Gustavus Adolphus College ($11,330 vs. $11,804).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is 34.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buena Vista University (about $14,278 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $41,798.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.2% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Buena Vista University (about $14,278 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $41,798.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Buena Vista University as at Gustavus Adolphus College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 20.5% larger than aid received by Buena Vista University students ($41,450 vs. $34,397).

Buena Vista University vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Buena Vista University or Gustavus Adolphus College? 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 Gustavus Adolphus College 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; Gustavus Adolphus College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gustavus Adolphus College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Buena Vista University (3.49).
• Buena Vista University has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than Gustavus Adolphus College (61%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at Buena Vista University vs. 15.2% at Gustavus Adolphus College.

Buena Vista University vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Buena Vista University and Gustavus Adolphus College? 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).

• Gustavus Adolphus College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Buena Vista University's (55%).
• Graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Buena Vista University graduates have a $2,978 lower median loan debt than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($24,022 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Buena Vista University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.