Buena Vista University vs. MIAD

Should I go to Buena Vista University or Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Buena Vista University or MIAD 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. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design comparison
Buena Vista University Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design College 3 College 4
Buena Vista University
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Overview

Buena Vista University MIAD
Location Storm Lake, IA Milwaukee, WI
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 1,951 885
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #719
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu miad.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Buena Vista University MIAD
Tuition (In State) $40,190 $40,480
Tuition (Out of State) $40,190 $40,480
Room & Board $10,896 $10,430
Avg Net Price $18,156 $28,024
Avg Grant Aid $34,333 $24,605
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Buena Vista University MIAD
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,544 1,059
Admitted 1,108 665
Acceptance Rate 71.8% 62.8%
Enrolled % 19.6% 30.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.08
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 20/24 20/28
SAT Range 930/1130 940/1140
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 31, 2026

Academics

Buena Vista University MIAD
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (87%)
  • Communications Technology (7%)
  • Architecture (6%)

Outcomes

Buena Vista University MIAD
Graduation Rate 55% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $36,000
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $279

Diversity

Buena Vista University MIAD
% Men 4% 0%
% Women 22% 0%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 80% 68%
% Black 1% 8%
% Hispanic 4% 13%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 5%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

Buena Vista University MIAD
% In-State 74% 56%
% Out-of-State 26% 44%

Campus

Buena Vista University MIAD
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

  • Buena Vista University is larger than than MIAD based on total student enrollment (1,951 students vs. 885 students)

Buena Vista University vs. MIAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or MIAD?

  • Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is 0.7% more expensive to attend than Buena Vista University for in-state tuition ($40,480.00 vs. $40,190.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 0.7% higher at MIAD than Buena Vista University ($40,480.00 vs. $40,190.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Buena Vista University than MIAD ($18,156 vs. $28,024)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design are 4.5% lower than costs at Buena Vista University ($10,430 vs. $10,896)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design than Buena Vista University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 39.5% larger than aid received Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design ($34,333 vs. $24,605)

Buena Vista University vs. MIAD Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at MIAD (3.08)
  • Buena Vista University has a higher acceptance rate (71.8%) than MIAD (62.8%)

Buena Vista University vs. MIAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Buena Vista University or MIAD? 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 MIAD and Buena Vista University.

  • The graduation rate at MIAD is higher than Buena Vista University (57% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Buena Vista University earn on average $5,200 more per year than MIAD graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $36,000)
  • Buena Vista University students graduate with a $2,978 lower median federal student loan debt than MIAD graduates. ($24,022 vs. $27,000)
  • Buena Vista University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than MIAD graduates. ($248 vs. $279)
  • More MIAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 59%)

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