Buena Vista University vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Deciding between Buena Vista University and University of Wisconsin River Falls? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Buena Vista University
University of Wisconsin River Falls

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Buena Vista University Storm Lake, IA
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, WI
  • Setting
  • Buena Vista University Remote Town
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Buena Vista University 1,890
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 5,243
  • Type
  • Buena Vista University Private 4 Year
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Buena Vista University #735
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls #768
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Buena Vista University Presbyterian Church (USA)
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls -
  • Status
  • Buena Vista University Non-profit
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Non-profit
  • Website
  • Buena Vista University bvu.edu
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls uwrf.edu
  • Team Colors
  • Buena Vista University
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Buena Vista University $41,798
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $9,008
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Buena Vista University $41,798
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $17,470
  • Room & Board
  • Buena Vista University $11,330
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $7,982
  • Average Net Price
  • Buena Vista University $19,704
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $14,769
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Buena Vista University $34,397
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $4,176
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Buena Vista University 100%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 81%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Buena Vista University Calculate
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Calculate
  • Applied
  • Buena Vista University 1,389
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 5,519
  • Admitted
  • Buena Vista University 1,078
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 4,510
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Buena Vista University 77.6%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 81.7%
  • Enrolled
  • Buena Vista University 20.7%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 25.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Buena Vista University 1030
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
  • Typical ACT score
  • Buena Vista University 22
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Buena Vista University 3.49
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 3.44
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Buena Vista University B+
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Buena Vista University Very Easy
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Buena Vista University
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
  • ACT Range
  • Buena Vista University 20/24
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 19/25
  • SAT Range
  • Buena Vista University 930/1130
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Buena Vista University Test optional
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Buena Vista University
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Buena Vista University 13:1
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Buena Vista University
    • Business (34%)
    • General Studies (18%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls
    • Agriculture (17%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Buena Vista University 55%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 51%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Buena Vista University $41,200
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $44,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Buena Vista University 59%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 75%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Buena Vista University $24,022
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $22,725
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Buena Vista University $248
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls $234

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Buena Vista University 32%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 37%
  • % Women
  • Buena Vista University 68%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Buena Vista University Very Low
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Buena Vista University No
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls No
  • % White
  • Buena Vista University 80%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 89%
  • % Asian
  • Buena Vista University 1%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 3%
  • % Black
  • Buena Vista University 1%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • Buena Vista University 4%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 3%
  • % Native American
  • Buena Vista University 1%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Buena Vista University 0%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Buena Vista University 1%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 2%
  • % International
  • Buena Vista University 4%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Buena Vista University 7%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Buena Vista University 71%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 47%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Buena Vista University 29%
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls 52%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Buena Vista University Yes
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Buena Vista University No
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls No
  • Meal Plan
  • Buena Vista University Yes
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Buena Vista University No
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Buena Vista University No
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Yes
  • Learn More
  • Buena Vista University Details
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls Details

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin River Falls is larger than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (5,243 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 River Falls is in River Falls, WI (Distant Town setting).
  • Buena Vista University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin River Falls is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Buena Vista University 13:1; University of Wisconsin River Falls 19:1.

Buena Vista University vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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 River Falls than Buena Vista University ($14,769 vs. $19,704).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin River Falls are 29.5% lower than at Buena Vista University ($7,982 vs. $11,330).
  • Buena Vista University is 364% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-River Falls (about $32,790 more per year; $41,798.00 vs. $9,008.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 139.3% higher at Buena Vista University than at University of Wisconsin River Falls (about $24,328 more per year; $41,798.00 vs. $17,470.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Buena Vista University than at University of Wisconsin River Falls (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 723.7% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin River Falls students ($34,397 vs. $4,176).

Buena Vista University vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Buena Vista University or University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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 University of Wisconsin-River Falls and Buena Vista University.

  • Incoming Buena Vista University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at University of Wisconsin-River Falls (22).
  • 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 River Falls 19/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buena Vista University - Test optional; University of Wisconsin-River Falls - Test optional.
  • Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at University of Wisconsin-River Falls (3.44).
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls has a higher acceptance rate (81.7%) than Buena Vista University (77.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at Buena Vista University vs. 25.1% at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Buena Vista University vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Buena Vista University and University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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).

  • Buena Vista University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than University of Wisconsin River Falls's (51%).
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,100 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin River Falls graduates have a $1,297 lower median loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates ($22,725 vs. $24,022).
  • Among borrowers, University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Buena Vista University graduates ($234 vs. $248).
  • More University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.