Buena Vista University vs. Union College

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

 Buena Vista University Union College
Location Storm Lake, IA Barbourville, KY
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,973 970
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #714
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu unionky.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Buena Vista University Union College
Tuition (In State) $38,644 $28,737
Tuition (Out of State) $38,644 $28,737
Room & Board $10,680 $8,261
Avg Net Price $19,204 $18,221
Avg Grant Aid $33,703 $23,168
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Buena Vista University Union College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,562 1,142
Admitted 1,207 610
Acceptance Rate 77.3% 53.4%
Enrolled % 19.6% 32.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.15
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/24 16/22
SAT Range 930/1130 955/1148
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 Union College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (24%)
  • Psychology (14%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

 Buena Vista University Union College
Graduation Rate 55% 32%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $34,800
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 42%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $248

Diversity

 Buena Vista University Union College
% Men 30% 57%
% Women 70% 43%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 72%
% Black 1% 12%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 5%
% International 4% 8%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

 Buena Vista University Union College
% In-State 58% 58%
% Out-of-State 41% 28%

Campus

 Buena Vista University Union College
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 Union College based on total student enrollment (1,973 students vs. 970 students)

Buena Vista University vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or Union College?

  • Buena Vista University is 34.5% more expensive to attend than Union College for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $28,737.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 34.5% higher at Buena Vista University than Union College ($38,644.00 vs. $28,737.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Union College than Buena Vista University ($18,221 vs. $19,204)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 29.3% lower than costs at Buena Vista University ($8,261 vs. $10,680)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University as Union College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 45.5% larger than aid received Union College ($33,703 vs. $23,168)

Buena Vista University vs. Union College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Buena Vista University (1010) is 40 points higher than at Union College (970)
  • Incoming Buena Vista University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Union College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Union College (3.15)
  • Buena Vista University has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Union College (53.4%)

Buena Vista University vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Buena Vista University or Union College? 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 Union College and Buena Vista University.

  • The graduation rate at Buena Vista University is higher than Union College (55% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Buena Vista University earn on average $6,400 more per year than Union College graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $34,800)
  • Union College students graduate with a $22 lower median federal student loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates. ($24,000 vs. $24,022)
  • Union College 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 Union College students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 42%)

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