Buena Vista University vs. Central

Comparable Facts

Compare Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA with University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Missouri is larger than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (12,857 students vs. 1,890 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Buena Vista University is located in Storm Lake, IA (Remote Town setting); University of Central Missouri is in Warrensburg, MO (Rural Fringe setting).
• Buena Vista University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Central Missouri is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Buena Vista University 13:1; University of Central Missouri 18:1.

Buena Vista University vs. Central Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or Central? 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 University of Central Missouri than Buena Vista University ($14,943 vs. $19,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Missouri are 5.2% lower than at Buena Vista University ($10,740 vs. $11,330).
• Buena Vista University is 315.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central (about $31,748 more per year; $41,798.00 vs. $10,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 124.7% higher at Buena Vista University than at University of Central Missouri (about $23,198 more per year; $41,798.00 vs. $18,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Buena Vista University than at University of Central Missouri (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 340.4% larger than aid received by University of Central Missouri students ($34,397 vs. $7,811).

Buena Vista University vs. Central Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Buena Vista University or Central? 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 Central and Buena Vista University.

• Incoming Buena Vista University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Central (22).
• 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; University of Central Missouri 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buena Vista University - Test optional; Central - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Buena Vista University (3.49).
• Buena Vista University has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than Central (63.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at Buena Vista University vs. 28.6% at Central.

Buena Vista University vs. Central Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Buena Vista University and Central? 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).

• Buena Vista University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than University of Central Missouri's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Central Missouri earn a median of about $300 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Missouri graduates have a $1,581 lower median loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates ($22,441 vs. $24,022).
• Among borrowers, Central graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Buena Vista University graduates ($232 vs. $248).
• More Buena Vista University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.