Buena Vista University vs. UW-Eau Claire

Comparable Facts

Compare Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA with University of Wisconsin Eau Claire in Eau Claire, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is larger than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (10,049 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 Wisconsin Eau Claire is in Eau Claire, WI (Small City setting).
• Buena Vista University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Buena Vista University 13:1; University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 19:1.

Buena Vista University vs. UW-Eau Claire Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or UW-Eau Claire? 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 Wisconsin Eau Claire than Buena Vista University ($15,151 vs. $19,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire are 20.8% lower than at Buena Vista University ($8,978 vs. $11,330).
• Buena Vista University is 333.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Eau Claire (about $32,156 more per year; $41,798.00 vs. $9,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 117.4% higher at Buena Vista University than at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (about $22,570 more per year; $41,798.00 vs. $19,228.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Buena Vista University than at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 507.4% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Eau Claire students ($34,397 vs. $5,663).

Buena Vista University vs. UW-Eau Claire Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Buena Vista University or UW-Eau Claire? 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 UW-Eau Claire and Buena Vista University.

• Incoming UW-Eau Claire students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Buena Vista University).
• 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 Wisconsin Eau Claire 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buena Vista University - Test optional; UW-Eau Claire - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW-Eau Claire Aug 1, 2027.
• 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).
• UW-Eau Claire has a higher acceptance rate (82.3%) than Buena Vista University (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at Buena Vista University vs. 28.1% at UW-Eau Claire.

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

How do outcomes compare for Buena Vista University and UW-Eau Claire? 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 Wisconsin Eau Claire's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Buena Vista University's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,900 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates have a $772 lower median loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,022).
• Among borrowers, UW-Eau Claire graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.