Buena Vista University vs. UNK

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

 Buena Vista University UNK
Location Storm Lake, IA Kearney, NE
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,951 6,017
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #719 #574
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu unk.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Buena Vista University UNK
Tuition (In State) $40,190 $6,450
Tuition (Out of State) $40,190 $12,418
Room & Board $10,896 $11,936
Avg Net Price $18,156 $16,249
Avg Grant Aid $34,333 $8,779
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 86%

Admission

 Buena Vista University UNK
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,544 7,253
Admitted 1,108 6,222
Acceptance Rate 71.8% 85.8%
Enrolled % 19.6% 14.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/24 18/25
SAT Range 930/1130 970/1150
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 15, 2025

Academics

 Buena Vista University UNK
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

 Buena Vista University UNK
Graduation Rate 55% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $43,400
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $21,250
Median Loan Payment $248 $219

Diversity

 Buena Vista University UNK
% Men 4% 8%
% Women 22% 22%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 79%
% Black 1% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 11%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 4% 5%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

 Buena Vista University UNK
% In-State 74% 86%
% Out-of-State 26% 9%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Nebraska at Kearney is larger than than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (6,017 students vs. 1,951 students)

Buena Vista University vs. UNK Cost Comparison

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

  • Buena Vista University is 523.1% more expensive to attend than UNK for in-state tuition ($40,190.00 vs. $6,450.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 223.6% higher at Buena Vista University than University of Nebraska at Kearney ($40,190.00 vs. $12,418.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Nebraska at Kearney than Buena Vista University ($16,249 vs. $18,156)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 9.5% lower than costs at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($10,896 vs. $11,936)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University than University of Nebraska at Kearney (99% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 291.1% larger than aid received University of Nebraska at Kearney ($34,333 vs. $8,779)

Buena Vista University vs. UNK Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Nebraska at Kearney (1049) is 39 points higher than at Buena Vista University (1010)
  • Incoming UNK students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Buena Vista University (22)
  • 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 (85.8%) than Buena Vista University (71.8%)

Buena Vista University vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at UNK is higher than Buena Vista University (61% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn on average $2,200 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates after ten years. ($43,400 vs. $41,200)
  • University of Nebraska at Kearney students graduate with a $2,772 lower median federal student loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates. ($21,250 vs. $24,022)
  • UNK graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans 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/