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Minnesota State University-Mankato KU Winona State University| Buena Vista University | Southwest Minnesota State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Buena Vista University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
| Location | Storm Lake, IA | Marshall, MN | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Rural Fringe | ||
| Enrollment | 1,973 | 6,930 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #714 | #948 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Presbyterian Church (USA) | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | bvu.edu | smsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Buena Vista University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $38,644 | $8,840 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $38,644 | $8,840 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,680 | $9,258 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $19,204 | $15,004 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $33,703 | $7,389 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 94% |
Admission |
Buena Vista University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 1,562 | 1,558 | ||
| Admitted | 1,207 | 1,427 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 77.3% | 91.6% | ||
| Enrolled % | 19.6% | 22.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.49 | 3.21 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Extremely Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 20/24 | 17/23 | ||
| SAT Range | 930/1130 | 935/1102 | ||
| 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 | Aug 18, 2025 |
Academics |
Buena Vista University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 12:1 | 15:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Buena Vista University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 55% | 39% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $41,200 | $41,200 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 59% | 66% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,022 | $21,678 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $248 | $224 |
Diversity |
Buena Vista University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 30% | 38% | ||
| % Women | 70% | 62% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 80% | 80% | ||
| % Black | 1% | 5% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 1% | 3% | ||
| % International | 4% | 5% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 7% | 2% |
Students |
Buena Vista University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 58% | 74% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 41% | 20% | ||
Campus |
Buena Vista University | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 1,973 students)
Buena Vista University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or Southwest Minnesota State University?
- Buena Vista University is 337.1% more expensive to attend than Southwest Minnesota State University for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $8,840.00)
- Out of state tuition is 337.1% higher at Buena Vista University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($38,644.00 vs. $8,840.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwest Minnesota State University than Buena Vista University ($15,004 vs. $19,204)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 15.4% lower than costs at Buena Vista University ($9,258 vs. $10,680)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University than Southwest Minnesota State University (100% vs. 94%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 356.1% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($33,703 vs. $7,389)
Buena Vista University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Buena Vista University or Southwest Minnesota State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Southwest Minnesota State University or Buena Vista University .
- The average SAT score at Buena Vista University (1010) is 2 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008)
- Incoming Buena Vista University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Southwest Minnesota State University (22)
- Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21)
- Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.6%) than Buena Vista University (77.3%)
Buena Vista University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Buena Vista University or Southwest Minnesota State University? 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 Southwest Minnesota State University and Buena Vista University.
- The graduation rate at Buena Vista University is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University (55% vs. 39%)
- Graduates of Buena Vista University and Southwest Minnesota State University have equivalent average earnings after ten years ($41,200 vs. $41,200)
- Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $2,344 lower median federal student loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates. ($21,678 vs. $24,022)
- Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than Buena Vista University graduates. ($224 vs. $248)
- More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 59%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/