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

Comparable Facts

Compare Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA with Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is larger than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (4,505 students vs. 1,890 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Buena Vista University is located in Storm Lake, IA (Remote Town setting); Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is in Winona, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Buena Vista University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Buena Vista University 13:1; Saint Mary's University of Minnesota 18:1.

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? 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 Mary's University of Minnesota ($19,704 vs. $22,032).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota are 1.1% lower than at Buena Vista University ($11,200 vs. $11,330).
• Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is 7.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buena Vista University (about $3,282 more per year; $45,080.00 vs. $41,798.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.9% higher at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota than at Buena Vista University (about $3,282 more per year; $45,080.00 vs. $41,798.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Buena Vista University as at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's University of Minnesota students is 2.8% larger than aid received by Buena Vista University students ($35,348 vs. $34,397).

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

Which college is harder to get into, Buena Vista University or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota? 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 Mary's University of Minnesota and Buena Vista University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Buena Vista University 930/1130.
• 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 Mary's University of Minnesota - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Mary's University of Minnesota May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have 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 (92.8%) than Buena Vista University (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at Buena Vista University vs. 18.8% at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.

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

How do outcomes compare for Buena Vista University and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota? 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).

• Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Buena Vista University's (55%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,400 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates have a $772 lower median loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,022).
• Among borrowers, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.