Buena Vista University vs. SC

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

 Buena Vista University SC
Location Storm Lake, IA Sterling, KS
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,951 707
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #719
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu sterling.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Buena Vista University SC
Tuition (In State) $40,190 $30,000
Tuition (Out of State) $40,190 $30,000
Room & Board $10,896 $9,532
Avg Net Price $18,156 $22,996
Avg Grant Aid $34,333 $21,778
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

 Buena Vista University SC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,544 826
Admitted 1,108 438
Acceptance Rate 71.8% 53%
Enrolled % 19.6% 32.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.46
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 20/24 18/24
SAT Range 930/1130 938/1123
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 17, 2026

Academics

 Buena Vista University SC
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)

Outcomes

 Buena Vista University SC
Graduation Rate 55% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $24,663
Median Loan Payment $248 $255

Diversity

 Buena Vista University SC
% Men 4% 2%
% Women 22% 2%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 80% 68%
% Black 1% 11%
% Hispanic 4% 15%
% Native American 1% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 0%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 3%

Students

 Buena Vista University SC
% In-State 74% 42%
% Out-of-State 26% 54%

Campus

 Buena Vista University SC
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Buena Vista University is larger than than SC based on total student enrollment (1,951 students vs. 707 students)

Buena Vista University vs. SC Cost Comparison

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

  • Buena Vista University is 34% more expensive to attend than SC for in-state tuition ($40,190.00 vs. $30,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 34% higher at Buena Vista University than Sterling College ($40,190.00 vs. $30,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Buena Vista University than SC ($18,156 vs. $22,996)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 14.3% lower than costs at Buena Vista University ($9,532 vs. $10,896)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sterling College than Buena Vista University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 57.6% larger than aid received Sterling College ($34,333 vs. $21,778)

Buena Vista University vs. SC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Buena Vista University (1010) is 20 points higher than at SC (990)
  • Incoming Buena Vista University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at SC (22)
  • Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at SC (3.46)
  • Buena Vista University has a higher acceptance rate (71.8%) than SC (53%)

Buena Vista University vs. SC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Buena Vista University is higher than Sterling College (55% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from Buena Vista University earn on average $3,800 more per year than SC graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $37,400)
  • Buena Vista University students graduate with a $641 lower median federal student loan debt than SC graduates. ($24,022 vs. $24,663)
  • Buena Vista University graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans than SC graduates. ($248 vs. $255)
  • More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 59%)

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