Buena Vista University vs. UW-Stout

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Stout is larger than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (6,926 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 Stout is in Menomonie, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Buena Vista University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Stout is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Buena Vista University 13:1; University of Wisconsin Stout 18:1.

Buena Vista University vs. UW-Stout Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or UW-Stout? 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 Stout than Buena Vista University ($15,673 vs. $19,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Stout are 20.5% lower than at Buena Vista University ($9,008 vs. $11,330).
• Buena Vista University is 290.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Stout (about $31,097 more per year; $41,798.00 vs. $10,701.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 117% higher at Buena Vista University than at University of Wisconsin Stout (about $22,533 more per year; $41,798.00 vs. $19,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Buena Vista University than at University of Wisconsin Stout (100% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 443% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Stout students ($34,397 vs. $6,335).

Buena Vista University vs. UW-Stout Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Buena Vista University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at UW-Stout (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 Stout 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buena Vista University - Test optional; UW-Stout - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW-Stout Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at UW-Stout (3.35).
• UW-Stout has a higher acceptance rate (87.7%) than Buena Vista University (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at Buena Vista University vs. 24.4% at UW-Stout.

Buena Vista University vs. UW-Stout Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Buena Vista University and UW-Stout? 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 Stout's (53%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Buena Vista University graduates have a $1,478 lower median loan debt than UW-Stout graduates ($24,022 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, Buena Vista University graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-Stout graduates ($248 vs. $263).
• More UW-Stout 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.