Buena Vista University vs. Gustavus Adolphus College

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

Buena Vista University Gustavus Adolphus College
Location Storm Lake, IA Saint Peter, MN
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,973 2,072
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #714
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu gustavus.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Buena Vista University Gustavus Adolphus College
Tuition (In State) $38,644 $52,490
Tuition (Out of State) $38,644 $52,490
Room & Board $10,680 $11,010
Avg Net Price $19,204 $30,297
Avg Grant Aid $33,703 $32,808
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

Buena Vista University Gustavus Adolphus College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,562 3,781
Admitted 1,207 2,794
Acceptance Rate 77.3% 73.9%
Enrolled % 19.6% 16.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.69
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/24
SAT Range 930/1130
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 Apr 1, 2025

Academics

Buena Vista University Gustavus Adolphus 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%)
  • Biology (13%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Education (7%)

Outcomes

Buena Vista University Gustavus Adolphus College
Graduation Rate 55% 82%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $56,300
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $279

Diversity

Buena Vista University Gustavus Adolphus College
% Men 30% 45%
% Women 70% 55%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 83%
% Black 1% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

Buena Vista University Gustavus Adolphus College
% In-State 58% 79%
% Out-of-State 41% 15%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Gustavus Adolphus College is larger than than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (2,072 students vs. 1,973 students)

Buena Vista University vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Cost Comparison

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

  • Gustavus Adolphus College is 35.8% more expensive to attend than Buena Vista University for in-state tuition ($52,490.00 vs. $38,644.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 35.8% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than Buena Vista University ($52,490.00 vs. $38,644.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Buena Vista University than Gustavus Adolphus College ($19,204 vs. $30,297)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 3.1% lower than costs at Gustavus Adolphus College ($10,680 vs. $11,010)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University than Gustavus Adolphus College (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 2.7% larger than aid received Gustavus Adolphus College ($33,703 vs. $32,808)

Buena Vista University vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • 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 (77.3%) than Gustavus Adolphus College (73.9%)

Buena Vista University vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Buena Vista University or Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College and Buena Vista University.

  • The graduation rate at Gustavus Adolphus College is higher than Buena Vista University (82% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College earn on average $15,100 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates after ten years. ($56,300 vs. $41,200)
  • Buena Vista University students graduate with a $2,978 lower median federal student loan debt than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates. ($24,022 vs. $27,000)
  • Buena Vista University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans 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/