Buena Vista University vs. Kansas City Art Institute

Deciding between Buena Vista University and Kansas City Art Institute? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Buena Vista University
Kansas City Art Institute

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Buena Vista University Storm Lake, IA
  • Kansas City Art Institute Kansas City, MO
  • Setting
  • Buena Vista University Remote Town
  • Kansas City Art Institute Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Buena Vista University 1,890
  • Kansas City Art Institute 813
  • Type
  • Buena Vista University Private 4 Year
  • Kansas City Art Institute Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Buena Vista University #735
  • Kansas City Art Institute
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Buena Vista University Presbyterian Church (USA)
  • Kansas City Art Institute -
  • Status
  • Buena Vista University Non-profit
  • Kansas City Art Institute Non-profit
  • Website
  • Buena Vista University bvu.edu
  • Kansas City Art Institute kcai.edu
  • Team Colors
  • Buena Vista University
  • Kansas City Art Institute
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Buena Vista University $41,798
  • Kansas City Art Institute $44,550
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Buena Vista University $41,798
  • Kansas City Art Institute $44,550
  • Room & Board
  • Buena Vista University $11,330
  • Kansas City Art Institute $13,651
  • Average Net Price
  • Buena Vista University $19,704
  • Kansas City Art Institute $27,650
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Buena Vista University $34,397
  • Kansas City Art Institute $29,760
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Buena Vista University 100%
  • Kansas City Art Institute 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Buena Vista University 1,389
  • Kansas City Art Institute 1,125
  • Admitted
  • Buena Vista University 1,078
  • Kansas City Art Institute 616
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Buena Vista University 77.6%
  • Kansas City Art Institute 54.8%
  • Enrolled
  • Buena Vista University 20.7%
  • Kansas City Art Institute 35.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Buena Vista University 1030
  • Kansas City Art Institute
  • Typical ACT score
  • Buena Vista University 22
  • Kansas City Art Institute
  • Average High School GPA
  • Buena Vista University 3.49
  • Kansas City Art Institute 3.32
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Buena Vista University B+
  • Kansas City Art Institute B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Buena Vista University Very Easy
  • Kansas City Art Institute Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • Buena Vista University
  • Kansas City Art Institute Low
  • ACT Range
  • Buena Vista University 20/24
  • Kansas City Art Institute
  • SAT Range
  • Buena Vista University 930/1130
  • Kansas City Art Institute
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Buena Vista University Test optional
  • Kansas City Art Institute Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Buena Vista University
  • Kansas City Art Institute
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Buena Vista University 13:1
  • Kansas City Art Institute 10:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Buena Vista University
    • Business (34%)
    • General Studies (18%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Kansas City Art Institute
    • Visual and Performing Arts (78%)
    • Communications Technology (16%)
    • English and Literature (5%)
    • General Studies (2%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Buena Vista University 55%
  • Kansas City Art Institute 77%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Buena Vista University $41,200
  • Kansas City Art Institute $32,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Buena Vista University 59%
  • Kansas City Art Institute 62%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Buena Vista University $24,022
  • Kansas City Art Institute $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Buena Vista University $248
  • Kansas City Art Institute $279
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Buena Vista University 32%
  • Kansas City Art Institute 22%
  • % Women
  • Buena Vista University 68%
  • Kansas City Art Institute 78%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Buena Vista University Very Low
  • Kansas City Art Institute Medium
  • HBCU
  • Buena Vista University No
  • Kansas City Art Institute No
  • % White
  • Buena Vista University 80%
  • Kansas City Art Institute 63%
  • % Asian
  • Buena Vista University 1%
  • Kansas City Art Institute 3%
  • % Black
  • Buena Vista University 1%
  • Kansas City Art Institute 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • Buena Vista University 4%
  • Kansas City Art Institute 7%
  • % Native American
  • Buena Vista University 1%
  • Kansas City Art Institute 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Buena Vista University 0%
  • Kansas City Art Institute 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Buena Vista University 1%
  • Kansas City Art Institute 12%
  • % International
  • Buena Vista University 4%
  • Kansas City Art Institute 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Buena Vista University 7%
  • Kansas City Art Institute 9%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Buena Vista University 71%
  • Kansas City Art Institute 47%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Buena Vista University 29%
  • Kansas City Art Institute 52%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Buena Vista University Yes
  • Kansas City Art Institute Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Buena Vista University No
  • Kansas City Art Institute No
  • Meal Plan
  • Buena Vista University Yes
  • Kansas City Art Institute Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Buena Vista University No
  • Kansas City Art Institute Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Buena Vista University No
  • Kansas City Art Institute No
  • Learn More
  • Buena Vista University Details
  • Kansas City Art Institute Details

Comparable Facts

Compare Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA with Kansas City Art Institute in Kansas City, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Buena Vista University is larger than Kansas City Art Institute based on total student enrollment (1,890 students vs. 813 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Buena Vista University is located in Storm Lake, IA (Remote Town setting); Kansas City Art Institute is in Kansas City, MO (Large City setting).
  • Buena Vista University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Kansas City Art Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Buena Vista University 13:1; Kansas City Art Institute 10:1.

Buena Vista University vs. Kansas City Art Institute Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or Kansas City Art Institute? 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 Kansas City Art Institute ($19,704 vs. $27,650).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 17% lower than at Kansas City Art Institute ($11,330 vs. $13,651).
  • Kansas City Art Institute is 6.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buena Vista University (about $2,752 more per year; $44,550.00 vs. $41,798.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.6% higher at Kansas City Art Institute than at Buena Vista University (about $2,752 more per year; $44,550.00 vs. $41,798.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Buena Vista University as at Kansas City Art Institute (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 15.6% larger than aid received by Kansas City Art Institute students ($34,397 vs. $29,760).

Buena Vista University vs. Kansas City Art Institute Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Buena Vista University or Kansas City Art Institute? 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 Kansas City Art Institute 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; Kansas City Art Institute - Test-free.
  • Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Kansas City Art Institute (3.32).
  • Buena Vista University has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than Kansas City Art Institute (54.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at Buena Vista University vs. 35.1% at Kansas City Art Institute.

Buena Vista University vs. Kansas City Art Institute Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Buena Vista University and Kansas City Art Institute? 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).

  • Kansas City Art Institute's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Buena Vista University's (55%).
  • Graduates from Buena Vista University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Kansas City Art Institute graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $32,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Buena Vista University graduates have a $2,978 lower median loan debt than Kansas City Art Institute graduates ($24,022 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Buena Vista University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kansas City Art Institute graduates ($248 vs. $279).
  • More Kansas City Art Institute graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.