Buena Vista University vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin La Crosse is larger than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (10,446 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 La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Buena Vista University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Buena Vista University 13:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

Buena Vista University vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or UW-La Crosse? 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 La Crosse than Buena Vista University ($14,712 vs. $19,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 23.2% lower than at Buena Vista University ($8,702 vs. $11,330).
• Buena Vista University is 315.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-La Crosse (about $31,728 more per year; $41,798.00 vs. $10,070.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 114.2% higher at Buena Vista University than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (about $22,281 more per year; $41,798.00 vs. $19,517.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Buena Vista University than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (100% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 664.5% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($34,397 vs. $4,499).

Buena Vista University vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 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 La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buena Vista University - Test optional; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Buena Vista University (3.49).
• Buena Vista University has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than UW-La Crosse (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at Buena Vista University vs. 43.2% at UW-La Crosse.

Buena Vista University vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Buena Vista University and UW-La Crosse? 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 La Crosse's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Buena Vista University's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates have a $772 lower median loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,022).
• Among borrowers, UW-La Crosse graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Buena Vista University graduates ($240 vs. $248).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.