Buena Vista University vs. OC Comets

Should I go to Buena Vista University or Olivet College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Buena Vista University or OC Comets 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

Alma College WMU
Buena Vista University vs. Olivet College comparison
Buena Vista University Olivet College College 3 College 4
Buena Vista University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Buena Vista University OC Comets
Location Storm Lake, IA Olivet, MI
Setting Remote Town Distant Rural
Enrollment 1,951 973
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #719
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) United Church of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu olivetcollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Buena Vista University OC Comets
Tuition (In State) $40,190 $32,694
Tuition (Out of State) $40,190 $32,694
Room & Board $10,896 $11,886
Avg Net Price $18,156 $23,533
Avg Grant Aid $34,333 $22,602
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Buena Vista University OC Comets
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,544 1,417
Admitted 1,108 1,376
Acceptance Rate 71.8% 97.1%
Enrolled % 19.6% 24.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/24 18/23
SAT Range 930/1130 910/1120
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline

Academics

Buena Vista University OC Comets
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

Buena Vista University OC Comets
Graduation Rate 55% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $39,300
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $279

Diversity

Buena Vista University OC Comets
% Men 4% 2%
% Women 22% 2%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 75%
% Black 1% 13%
% Hispanic 4% 7%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

Buena Vista University OC Comets
% In-State 74% 92%
% Out-of-State 26% 8%

Campus

Buena Vista University OC Comets
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 OC Comets based on total student enrollment (1,951 students vs. 973 students)

Buena Vista University vs. OC Comets Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or OC Comets?

  • Buena Vista University is 22.9% more expensive to attend than OC Comets for in-state tuition ($40,190.00 vs. $32,694.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22.9% higher at Buena Vista University than Olivet College ($40,190.00 vs. $32,694.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Buena Vista University than OC Comets ($18,156 vs. $23,533)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 9.1% lower than costs at Olivet College ($10,896 vs. $11,886)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Olivet College than Buena Vista University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 51.9% larger than aid received Olivet College ($34,333 vs. $22,602)

Buena Vista University vs. OC Comets Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Buena Vista University (1010) is 79 points higher than at OC Comets (931)
  • Incoming Buena Vista University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at OC Comets (20)
  • OC Comets has a higher acceptance rate (97.1%) than Buena Vista University (71.8%)

Buena Vista University vs. OC Comets Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Buena Vista University or OC Comets? 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 OC Comets and Buena Vista University.

  • The graduation rate at Buena Vista University is higher than Olivet College (55% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Buena Vista University earn on average $1,900 more per year than OC Comets graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $39,300)
  • Buena Vista University students graduate with a $2,978 lower median federal student loan debt than OC Comets graduates. ($24,022 vs. $27,000)
  • Buena Vista University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than OC Comets graduates. ($248 vs. $279)
  • More Buena Vista University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OC Comets students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 53%)

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