Buena Vista University vs. SAU

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

Buena Vista University SAU
Location Storm Lake, IA Spring Arbor, MI
Setting Remote Town Small Suburban
Enrollment 1,973 2,396
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #714 #501
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu arbor.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Buena Vista University SAU
Tuition (In State) $38,644 $31,020
Tuition (Out of State) $38,644 $31,020
Room & Board $10,680 $10,652
Avg Net Price $19,204 $22,375
Avg Grant Aid $33,703 $20,677
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Buena Vista University SAU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,562 2,312
Admitted 1,207 1,094
Acceptance Rate 77.3% 47.3%
Enrolled % 19.6% 20.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/24 20/26
SAT Range 930/1130 970/1135
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 SAU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (31%)
  • Work and Family Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Human Services (9%)

Outcomes

Buena Vista University SAU
Graduation Rate 55% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $24,043
Median Loan Payment $248 $248

Diversity

Buena Vista University SAU
% Men 30% 23%
% Women 70% 77%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 77%
% Black 1% 10%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 5%

Students

Buena Vista University SAU
% In-State 58% 83%
% Out-of-State 41% 13%

Campus

Buena Vista University SAU
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

  • Spring Arbor University is larger than than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (2,396 students vs. 1,973 students)

Buena Vista University vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or SAU?

  • Buena Vista University is 24.6% more expensive to attend than SAU for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $31,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 24.6% higher at Buena Vista University than Spring Arbor University ($38,644.00 vs. $31,020.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Buena Vista University than SAU ($19,204 vs. $22,375)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 0.3% lower than costs at Buena Vista University ($10,652 vs. $10,680)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University than Spring Arbor University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 63% larger than aid received Spring Arbor University ($33,703 vs. $20,677)

Buena Vista University vs. SAU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Spring Arbor University (1073) is 63 points higher than at Buena Vista University (1010)
  • Incoming SAU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Buena Vista University (22)
  • Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Buena Vista University (3.49)
  • Buena Vista University has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than SAU (47.3%)

Buena Vista University vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Buena Vista University or SAU? 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 SAU and Buena Vista University.

  • The graduation rate at SAU is higher than Buena Vista University (56% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn on average $1,400 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates after ten years. ($42,600 vs. $41,200)
  • Buena Vista University students graduate with a $21 lower median federal student loan debt than SAU graduates. ($24,022 vs. $24,043)
  • Spring Arbor University and Buena Vista University graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($248 vs. $248)
  • More Buena Vista University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 58%)

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