Buena Vista University vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Whitewater is larger than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (11,746 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 Whitewater is in Whitewater, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Buena Vista University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Buena Vista University 13:1; University of Wisconsin Whitewater 21:1.

Buena Vista University vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 Whitewater than Buena Vista University ($12,709 vs. $19,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Whitewater are 28.6% lower than at Buena Vista University ($8,090 vs. $11,330).
• Buena Vista University is 385.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (about $33,182 more per year; $41,798.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 123.3% higher at Buena Vista University than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (about $23,082 more per year; $41,798.00 vs. $18,716.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Buena Vista University than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 505% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Whitewater students ($34,397 vs. $5,685).

Buena Vista University vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Buena Vista University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater).
• 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 Whitewater 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buena Vista University - Test optional; University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (3.3).
• University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than Buena Vista University (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at Buena Vista University vs. 24.7% at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Buena Vista University vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Buena Vista University and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 Whitewater's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Buena Vista University graduates have a $949 lower median loan debt than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($24,022 vs. $24,971).
• Among borrowers, Buena Vista University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($248 vs. $258).
• More University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.