Buena Vista University vs. UW-Eau Claire

Should I go to Buena Vista University or University of Wisconsin Eau Claire? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Buena Vista University or UW-Eau Claire 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 Wisconsin Eau Claire comparison
Buena Vista University University of Wisconsin Eau Claire College 3 College 4
Buena Vista University University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
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Overview

 Buena Vista University UW-Eau Claire
Location Storm Lake, IA Eau Claire, WI
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 1,973 10,104
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #714 #565
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu uwec.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Buena Vista University UW-Eau Claire
Tuition (In State) $38,644 $7,361
Tuition (Out of State) $38,644 $16,074
Room & Board $10,680 $9,014
Avg Net Price $19,204 $15,000
Avg Grant Aid $33,703 $4,251
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 76%

Admission

 Buena Vista University UW-Eau Claire
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,562 10,403
Admitted 1,207 7,971
Acceptance Rate 77.3% 76.6%
Enrolled % 19.6% 26.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.59
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/24 21/26
SAT Range 930/1130
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 1, 2025

Academics

 Buena Vista University UW-Eau Claire
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 Buena Vista University UW-Eau Claire
Graduation Rate 55% 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $47,900
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $248 $240

Diversity

 Buena Vista University UW-Eau Claire
% Men 30% 40%
% Women 70% 60%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 89%
% Black 1% 1%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

 Buena Vista University UW-Eau Claire
% In-State 58% 64%
% Out-of-State 41% 35%

Campus

 Buena Vista University UW-Eau Claire
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 Wisconsin Eau Claire is larger than than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (10,104 students vs. 1,973 students)

Buena Vista University vs. UW-Eau Claire Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or UW-Eau Claire?

  • Buena Vista University is 425% more expensive to attend than UW-Eau Claire for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $7,361.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 140.4% higher at Buena Vista University than University of Wisconsin Eau Claire ($38,644.00 vs. $16,074.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire than Buena Vista University ($15,000 vs. $19,204)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire are 18.5% lower than costs at Buena Vista University ($9,014 vs. $10,680)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University than University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (100% vs. 76%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 692.8% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin Eau Claire ($33,703 vs. $4,251)

Buena Vista University vs. UW-Eau Claire Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (1110) is 100 points higher than at Buena Vista University (1010)
  • Incoming UW-Eau Claire students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Buena Vista University (22)
  • Accepted freshman UW-Eau Claire students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Buena Vista University (3.49)
  • Buena Vista University has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than UW-Eau Claire (76.6%)

Buena Vista University vs. UW-Eau Claire Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Buena Vista University or UW-Eau Claire? 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 UW-Eau Claire and Buena Vista University.

  • The graduation rate at UW-Eau Claire is higher than Buena Vista University (65% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn on average $6,700 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates after ten years. ($47,900 vs. $41,200)
  • University of Wisconsin Eau Claire students graduate with a $772 lower median federal student loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates. ($23,250 vs. $24,022)
  • UW-Eau Claire graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Buena Vista University graduates. ($240 vs. $248)
  • More UW-Eau Claire graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 59%)

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