Buena Vista University vs. UW-La Crosse

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

Buena Vista University UW-La Crosse
Location Storm Lake, IA La Crosse, WI
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 1,973 10,274
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #714 #548
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu uwlax.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Buena Vista University UW-La Crosse
Tuition (In State) $38,644 $7,585
Tuition (Out of State) $38,644 $16,404
Room & Board $10,680 $6,942
Avg Net Price $19,204 $13,130
Avg Grant Aid $33,703 $3,395
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 64%

Admission

Buena Vista University UW-La Crosse
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,562 7,290
Admitted 1,207 5,413
Acceptance Rate 77.3% 74.3%
Enrolled % 19.6% 43%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/24 22/26
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

Academics

Buena Vista University UW-La Crosse
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 (22%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Education (8%)

Outcomes

Buena Vista University UW-La Crosse
Graduation Rate 55% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $49,500
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $248 $240

Diversity

Buena Vista University UW-La Crosse
% Men 30% 42%
% Women 70% 58%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 90%
% Black 1% 1%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

Buena Vista University UW-La Crosse
% In-State 58% 81%
% Out-of-State 41% 19%

Campus

Buena Vista University UW-La Crosse
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 La Crosse is larger than than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (10,274 students vs. 1,973 students)

Buena Vista University vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or UW-La Crosse?

  • Buena Vista University is 409.5% more expensive to attend than UW-La Crosse for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $7,585.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 135.6% higher at Buena Vista University than University of Wisconsin La Crosse ($38,644.00 vs. $16,404.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wisconsin La Crosse than Buena Vista University ($13,130 vs. $19,204)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 53.8% lower than costs at Buena Vista University ($6,942 vs. $10,680)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University than University of Wisconsin La Crosse (100% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 892.7% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin La Crosse ($33,703 vs. $3,395)

Buena Vista University vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (1130) is 120 points higher than at Buena Vista University (1010)
  • Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Buena Vista University (22)
  • 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 (77.3%) than UW-La Crosse (74.3%)

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

Which is better, Buena Vista University or UW-La Crosse? 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-La Crosse and Buena Vista University.

  • The graduation rate at UW-La Crosse is higher than Buena Vista University (68% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn on average $8,300 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates after ten years. ($49,500 vs. $41,200)
  • University of Wisconsin La Crosse students graduate with a $772 lower median federal student loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates. ($23,250 vs. $24,022)
  • UW-La Crosse graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans 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/