Buena Vista University vs. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

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

Buena Vista University Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Location Storm Lake, IA Winona, MN
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 1,973 4,133
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #714
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu smumn.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Buena Vista University Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Tuition (In State) $38,644 $40,520
Tuition (Out of State) $38,644 $40,520
Room & Board $10,680 $10,220
Avg Net Price $19,204 $22,843
Avg Grant Aid $33,703 $30,091
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Buena Vista University Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,562 1,071
Admitted 1,207 1,037
Acceptance Rate 77.3% 96.8%
Enrolled % 19.6% 20.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.49
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/24
SAT Range 930/1130
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 May 1, 2025

Academics

Buena Vista University Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (48%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Biology (5%)

Outcomes

Buena Vista University Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Graduation Rate 55% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $48,400
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 72%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $248 $240

Diversity

Buena Vista University Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
% Men 30% 32%
% Women 70% 68%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 80% 59%
% Black 1% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 1%
% International 4% 3%
% Unknown Race 7% 23%

Students

Buena Vista University Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
% In-State 58% 51%
% Out-of-State 41% 45%

Campus

Buena Vista University Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
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

  • Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is larger than than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (4,133 students vs. 1,973 students)

Buena Vista University vs. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?

  • Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is 4.9% more expensive to attend than Buena Vista University for in-state tuition ($40,520.00 vs. $38,644.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.9% higher at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota than Buena Vista University ($40,520.00 vs. $38,644.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Buena Vista University than Saint Mary's University of Minnesota ($19,204 vs. $22,843)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota are 4.5% lower than costs at Buena Vista University ($10,220 vs. $10,680)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University as Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 12% larger than aid received Saint Mary's University of Minnesota ($33,703 vs. $30,091)

Buena Vista University vs. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (1046) is 36 points higher than at Buena Vista University (1010)
  • Incoming Saint Mary's University of Minnesota students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Buena Vista University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have at the same average high school GPA (3.49) as students at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (3.49)
  • Saint Mary's University of Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Buena Vista University (77.3%)

Buena Vista University vs. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Buena Vista University or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota? 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and Buena Vista University.

  • The graduation rate at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is higher than Buena Vista University (62% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota earn on average $7,200 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates after ten years. ($48,400 vs. $41,200)
  • Saint Mary's University of Minnesota students graduate with a $772 lower median federal student loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates. ($23,250 vs. $24,022)
  • Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Buena Vista University graduates. ($240 vs. $248)
  • More Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 59%)

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