Buena Vista University vs. Medaille College

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

Buena Vista University Medaille College
Location Storm Lake, IA Buffalo, NY
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 1,973 1,727
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #714 #879
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu medaille.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Buena Vista University Medaille College
Tuition (In State) $38,644 $33,000
Tuition (Out of State) $38,644 $33,000
Room & Board $10,680 $14,000
Avg Net Price $19,204 $14,992
Avg Grant Aid $33,703 $25,196
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

Buena Vista University Medaille College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,562 1,689
Admitted 1,207 1,162
Acceptance Rate 77.3% 68.8%
Enrolled % 19.6% 31.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.14
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/24 17/21
SAT Range 930/1130 930/1140
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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Buena Vista University Medaille College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (41%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

Buena Vista University Medaille College
Graduation Rate 55% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $42,700
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 52%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $258

Diversity

Buena Vista University Medaille College
% Men 30% 28%
% Women 70% 72%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 80% 58%
% Black 1% 23%
% Hispanic 4% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 7%

Students

Buena Vista University Medaille College
% In-State 58% 75%
% Out-of-State 41% 21%

Campus

Buena Vista University Medaille College
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 Medaille College based on total student enrollment (1,973 students vs. 1,727 students)

Buena Vista University vs. Medaille College Cost Comparison

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

  • Buena Vista University is 17.1% more expensive to attend than Medaille College for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $33,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17.1% higher at Buena Vista University than Medaille College ($38,644.00 vs. $33,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Medaille College than Buena Vista University ($14,992 vs. $19,204)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 31.1% lower than costs at Medaille College ($10,680 vs. $14,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University than Medaille College (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 33.8% larger than aid received Medaille College ($33,703 vs. $25,196)

Buena Vista University vs. Medaille College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Buena Vista University (1010) is 142 points higher than at Medaille College (868)
  • Incoming Buena Vista University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Medaille College (19)
  • Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Medaille College (3.14)
  • Buena Vista University has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Medaille College (68.8%)

Buena Vista University vs. Medaille College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Buena Vista University or Medaille 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 Medaille College and Buena Vista University.

  • The graduation rate at Buena Vista University is higher than Medaille College (55% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Medaille College earn on average $1,500 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates after ten years. ($42,700 vs. $41,200)
  • Buena Vista University students graduate with a $978 lower median federal student loan debt than Medaille College graduates. ($24,022 vs. $25,000)
  • Buena Vista University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than Medaille College graduates. ($248 vs. $258)
  • More Buena Vista University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Medaille College students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 52%)

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