Buena Vista University vs. Wartburg College

Should I go to Buena Vista University or Wartburg College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Buena Vista University or Wartburg College 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. Wartburg College comparison
Buena Vista University Wartburg College College 3 College 4
Buena Vista University
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Overview

Buena Vista University Wartburg College
Location Storm Lake, IA Waverly, IA
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 1,973 1,444
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #714 #654
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu wartburg.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Buena Vista University Wartburg College
Tuition (In State) $38,644 $46,740
Tuition (Out of State) $38,644 $46,740
Room & Board $10,680 $10,280
Avg Net Price $19,204 $23,683
Avg Grant Aid $33,703 $36,157
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 97%

Admission

Buena Vista University Wartburg College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,562 2,779
Admitted 1,207 2,708
Acceptance Rate 77.3% 97.4%
Enrolled % 19.6% 13%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.48
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/24 19/25
SAT Range 930/1130 970/1120
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 Wartburg College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)

Outcomes

Buena Vista University Wartburg College
Graduation Rate 55% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $48,100
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $279

Diversity

Buena Vista University Wartburg College
% Men 30% 49%
% Women 70% 51%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 77%
% Black 1% 5%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 4% 8%
% Unknown Race 7% 4%

Students

Buena Vista University Wartburg College
% In-State 58% 70%
% Out-of-State 41% 27%

Campus

Buena Vista University Wartburg College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Buena Vista University is larger than than Wartburg College based on total student enrollment (1,973 students vs. 1,444 students)

Buena Vista University vs. Wartburg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or Wartburg College?

  • Wartburg College is 21% more expensive to attend than Buena Vista University for in-state tuition ($46,740.00 vs. $38,644.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 21% higher at Wartburg College than Buena Vista University ($46,740.00 vs. $38,644.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Buena Vista University than Wartburg College ($19,204 vs. $23,683)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wartburg College are 3.9% lower than costs at Buena Vista University ($10,280 vs. $10,680)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University than Wartburg College (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 7.3% larger than aid received Buena Vista University ($36,157 vs. $33,703)

Buena Vista University vs. Wartburg College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Wartburg College (1105) is 95 points higher than at Buena Vista University (1010)
  • Incoming Wartburg College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Buena Vista University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Wartburg College (3.48)
  • Wartburg College has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Buena Vista University (77.3%)

Buena Vista University vs. Wartburg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Buena Vista University or Wartburg College? 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 Wartburg College and Buena Vista University.

  • The graduation rate at Wartburg College is higher than Buena Vista University (63% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Wartburg College earn on average $6,900 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates after ten years. ($48,100 vs. $41,200)
  • Buena Vista University students graduate with a $2,978 lower median federal student loan debt than Wartburg College graduates. ($24,022 vs. $27,000)
  • Buena Vista University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Wartburg College graduates. ($248 vs. $279)
  • More Wartburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 59%)

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