Buena Vista University vs. Ripon College

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

 Buena Vista University Ripon College
Location Storm Lake, IA Ripon, WI
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 1,973 766
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #714
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu ripon.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Buena Vista University Ripon College
Tuition (In State) $38,644 $49,300
Tuition (Out of State) $38,644 $49,300
Room & Board $10,680 $9,490
Avg Net Price $19,204 $21,999
Avg Grant Aid $33,703 $38,826
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Buena Vista University Ripon College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,562 2,142
Admitted 1,207 1,742
Acceptance Rate 77.3% 81.3%
Enrolled % 19.6% 11.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.41
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/24 20/27
SAT Range 930/1130 940/1160
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

Academics

 Buena Vista University Ripon College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Business (13%)
  • History (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)

Outcomes

 Buena Vista University Ripon College
Graduation Rate 55% 70%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $49,200
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $28,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $289

Diversity

 Buena Vista University Ripon College
% Men 30% 51%
% Women 70% 49%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 83%
% Black 1% 3%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

 Buena Vista University Ripon College
% In-State 58% 63%
% Out-of-State 41% 35%

Campus

 Buena Vista University Ripon 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

  • Buena Vista University is larger than than Ripon College based on total student enrollment (1,973 students vs. 766 students)

Buena Vista University vs. Ripon College Cost Comparison

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

  • Ripon College is 27.6% more expensive to attend than Buena Vista University for in-state tuition ($49,300.00 vs. $38,644.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 27.6% higher at Ripon College than Buena Vista University ($49,300.00 vs. $38,644.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Buena Vista University than Ripon College ($19,204 vs. $21,999)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ripon College are 12.5% lower than costs at Buena Vista University ($9,490 vs. $10,680)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University as Ripon College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ripon College students is 15.2% larger than aid received Buena Vista University ($38,826 vs. $33,703)

Buena Vista University vs. Ripon College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Ripon College (1105) is 95 points higher than at Buena Vista University (1010)
  • Incoming Ripon College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Buena Vista University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Ripon College (3.41)
  • Ripon College has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than Buena Vista University (77.3%)

Buena Vista University vs. Ripon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Ripon College is higher than Buena Vista University (70% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Ripon College earn on average $8,000 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates after ten years. ($49,200 vs. $41,200)
  • Buena Vista University students graduate with a $3,978 lower median federal student loan debt than Ripon College graduates. ($24,022 vs. $28,000)
  • Buena Vista University graduates are paying $41 less per month on federal student loans than Ripon College graduates. ($248 vs. $289)
  • More Ripon College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 59%)

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