Buena Vista University vs. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Comparable Facts

Compare Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA with Saint Joseph's College of Maine in Standish, ME on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Buena Vista University is larger than Saint Joseph's College of Maine based on total student enrollment (1,890 students vs. 1,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Buena Vista University is located in Storm Lake, IA (Remote Town setting); Saint Joseph's College of Maine is in Standish, ME (Distant Town setting).
• Buena Vista University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Joseph's College of Maine is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Buena Vista University 13:1; Saint Joseph's College of Maine 10:1.

Buena Vista University vs. Saint Joseph's College of Maine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or Saint Joseph's College of Maine? 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 Saint Joseph's College of Maine ($19,704 vs. $28,217).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 26.4% lower than at Saint Joseph's College of Maine ($11,330 vs. $15,384).
• Saint Joseph's College of Maine is 6.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buena Vista University (about $2,622 more per year; $44,420.00 vs. $41,798.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at Saint Joseph's College of Maine than at Buena Vista University (about $2,622 more per year; $44,420.00 vs. $41,798.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Buena Vista University as at Saint Joseph's College of Maine (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 9% larger than aid received by Saint Joseph's College of Maine students ($34,397 vs. $31,558).

Buena Vista University vs. Saint Joseph's College of Maine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Buena Vista University or Saint Joseph's College of Maine? 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 Saint Joseph's College of Maine and Buena Vista University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Joseph's College of Maine (1060) is 30 points higher than at Buena Vista University (1030).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Buena Vista University 930/1130; Saint Joseph's College of Maine 960/1150.
• 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; Saint Joseph's College of Maine - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Saint Joseph's College of Maine (3.0).
• Saint Joseph's College of Maine has a higher acceptance rate (83.5%) than Buena Vista University (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at Buena Vista University vs. 12% at Saint Joseph's College of Maine.

Buena Vista University vs. Saint Joseph's College of Maine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Buena Vista University and Saint Joseph's College of Maine? 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).

• The graduation rate at Buena Vista University is the same as at Saint Joseph's College of Maine (55% vs. 55%).
• Graduates from Saint Joseph's College of Maine earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,300 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Buena Vista University graduates have a $2,978 lower median loan debt than Saint Joseph's College of Maine graduates ($24,022 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Buena Vista University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Joseph's College of Maine graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Saint Joseph's College of Maine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.