Buena Vista University vs. UW-Superior

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

 Buena Vista University UW-Superior
Location Storm Lake, IA Superior, WI
Setting Remote Town Midsize Suburban
Enrollment 1,973 2,710
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #714 #885
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu uwsuper.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Buena Vista University UW-Superior
Tuition (In State) $38,644 $6,535
Tuition (Out of State) $38,644 $14,108
Room & Board $10,680 $7,013
Avg Net Price $19,204 $12,908
Avg Grant Aid $33,703 $3,691
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

 Buena Vista University UW-Superior
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,562 2,319
Admitted 1,207 2,217
Acceptance Rate 77.3% 95.6%
Enrolled % 19.6% 14.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.32
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/24 18/24
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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 Buena Vista University UW-Superior
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

 Buena Vista University UW-Superior
Graduation Rate 55% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $37,700
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $23,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $237

Diversity

 Buena Vista University UW-Superior
% Men 30% 33%
% Women 70% 67%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 81%
% Black 1% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 1% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 4% 8%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

 Buena Vista University UW-Superior
% In-State 58% 45%
% Out-of-State 41% 39%

Campus

 Buena Vista University UW-Superior
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 Superior is larger than than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (2,710 students vs. 1,973 students)

Buena Vista University vs. UW-Superior Cost Comparison

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

  • Buena Vista University is 491.3% more expensive to attend than UW-Superior for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $6,535.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 173.9% higher at Buena Vista University than University of Wisconsin Superior ($38,644.00 vs. $14,108.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wisconsin Superior than Buena Vista University ($12,908 vs. $19,204)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Superior are 52.3% lower than costs at Buena Vista University ($7,013 vs. $10,680)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University than University of Wisconsin Superior (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 813.1% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin Superior ($33,703 vs. $3,691)

Buena Vista University vs. UW-Superior Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Buena Vista University (1010) is 20 points higher than at UW-Superior (990)
  • Incoming Buena Vista University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at UW-Superior (21)
  • Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at UW-Superior (3.32)
  • UW-Superior has a higher acceptance rate (95.6%) than Buena Vista University (77.3%)

Buena Vista University vs. UW-Superior Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Buena Vista University is higher than University of Wisconsin Superior (55% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Buena Vista University earn on average $3,500 more per year than UW-Superior graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $37,700)
  • University of Wisconsin Superior students graduate with a $1,022 lower median federal student loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates. ($23,000 vs. $24,022)
  • UW-Superior graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Buena Vista University graduates. ($237 vs. $248)
  • More Buena Vista University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UW-Superior students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/