Buena Vista University vs. UNK

Comparable Facts

Compare Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA with University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Nebraska at Kearney is larger than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (5,881 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 Nebraska at Kearney is in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting).
• Buena Vista University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Buena Vista University 13:1; University of Nebraska at Kearney 14:1.

Buena Vista University vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or UNK? 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 Nebraska at Kearney than Buena Vista University ($16,287 vs. $19,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 7.1% lower than at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($11,330 vs. $12,198).
• Buena Vista University is 381.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNK (about $33,122 more per year; $41,798.00 vs. $8,676.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 173.5% higher at Buena Vista University than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (about $26,514 more per year; $41,798.00 vs. $15,284.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Buena Vista University than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 251.9% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students ($34,397 vs. $9,776).

Buena Vista University vs. UNK Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Buena Vista University (1030) is 10 points higher than at UNK (1020).
• Incoming Buena Vista University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at UNK (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Buena Vista University 930/1130; University of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Buena Vista University 20/24; University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buena Vista University - Test optional; UNK - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNK Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at UNK (3.24).
• UNK has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Buena Vista University (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at Buena Vista University vs. 18.5% at UNK.

Buena Vista University vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Nebraska at Kearney's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Buena Vista University's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates have a $2,772 lower median loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates ($21,250 vs. $24,022).
• Among borrowers, UNK graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Buena Vista University graduates ($219 vs. $248).
• More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.