Goshen College vs. Buena Vista University

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

Goshen College Buena Vista University
Location Goshen, IN Storm Lake, IA
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 824 1,951
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #719
Religious Affiliation Mennonite Church Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website goshen.edu bvu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Goshen College Buena Vista University
Tuition (In State) $37,760 $40,190
Tuition (Out of State) $37,760 $40,190
Room & Board $11,320 $10,896
Avg Net Price $17,040 $18,156
Avg Grant Aid $30,548 $34,333
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 99%

Admission

Goshen College Buena Vista University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,175 1,544
Admitted 1,045 1,108
Acceptance Rate 88.9% 71.8%
Enrolled % 15% 19.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.49
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/27 20/24
SAT Range 850/1133 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 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

Goshen College Buena Vista University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Foreign Languages (5%)
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

Goshen College Buena Vista University
Graduation Rate 73% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,400 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,101 $24,022
Median Loan Payment $207 $248

Diversity

Goshen College Buena Vista University
% Men 1% 4%
% Women 5% 22%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 65% 80%
% Black 4% 1%
% Hispanic 17% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 9% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 7%

Students

Goshen College Buena Vista University
% In-State 71% 74%
% Out-of-State 20% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Buena Vista University is larger than than Goshen College based on total student enrollment (1,951 students vs. 824 students)

Goshen College vs. Buena Vista University Cost Comparison

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

  • Buena Vista University is 6.4% more expensive to attend than Goshen College for in-state tuition ($40,190.00 vs. $37,760.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 6.4% higher at Buena Vista University than Goshen College ($40,190.00 vs. $37,760.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Goshen College than Buena Vista University ($17,040 vs. $18,156)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 3.9% lower than costs at Goshen College ($10,896 vs. $11,320)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University than Goshen College (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 12.4% larger than aid received Goshen College ($34,333 vs. $30,548)

Goshen College vs. Buena Vista University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Goshen College (1059) is 49 points higher than at Buena Vista University (1010)
  • Incoming Goshen 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 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Goshen College (3.42)
  • Goshen College has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Buena Vista University (71.8%)

Goshen College vs. Buena Vista University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Goshen College is higher than Buena Vista University (73% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Buena Vista University earn on average $800 more per year than Goshen College graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $40,400)
  • Goshen College students graduate with a $3,921 lower median federal student loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates. ($20,101 vs. $24,022)
  • Goshen College graduates are paying $41 less per month on federal student loans than Buena Vista University graduates. ($207 vs. $248)
  • More Goshen College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 59%)

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