La Sierra University vs. Buena Vista University

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

La Sierra University Buena Vista University
Location Riverside, CA Storm Lake, IA
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 1,614 1,973
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #645 #714
Religious Affiliation Seventh Day Adventists Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lasierra.edu bvu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

La Sierra University Buena Vista University
Tuition (In State) $33,912 $38,644
Tuition (Out of State) $33,912 $38,644
Room & Board $11,325 $10,680
Avg Net Price $25,076 $19,204
Avg Grant Aid $21,867 $33,703
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

La Sierra University Buena Vista University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,878 1,562
Admitted 1,725 1,207
Acceptance Rate 91.9% 77.3%
Enrolled % 19.1% 19.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.54 3.49
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/28 20/24
SAT Range 880/1140 930/1130
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

La Sierra University Buena Vista University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Biology (24%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

La Sierra University Buena Vista University
Graduation Rate 32% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,900 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $30,000 $24,022
Median Loan Payment $310 $248

Diversity

La Sierra University Buena Vista University
% Men 40% 30%
% Women 60% 70%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 14% 80%
% Black 6% 1%
% Hispanic 48% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 2% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 1%
% International 11% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 7%

Students

La Sierra University Buena Vista University
% In-State 84% 58%
% Out-of-State 9% 41%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Buena Vista University is larger than than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (1,973 students vs. 1,614 students)

La Sierra University vs. Buena Vista University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, La Sierra University or Buena Vista University?

  • Buena Vista University is 14% more expensive to attend than La Sierra University for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $33,912.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14% higher at Buena Vista University than La Sierra University ($38,644.00 vs. $33,912.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Buena Vista University than La Sierra University ($19,204 vs. $25,076)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 6% lower than costs at La Sierra University ($10,680 vs. $11,325)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at La Sierra University as Buena Vista University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 54.1% larger than aid received La Sierra University ($33,703 vs. $21,867)

La Sierra University vs. Buena Vista University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, La Sierra University 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 La Sierra University .

  • The average SAT score at Buena Vista University (1010) is 81 points higher than at La Sierra University (929)
  • Incoming Buena Vista University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at La Sierra University (19)
  • Accepted freshman La Sierra University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Buena Vista University (3.49)
  • La Sierra University has a higher acceptance rate (91.9%) than Buena Vista University (77.3%)

La Sierra University vs. Buena Vista University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, La Sierra University 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 La Sierra University.

  • The graduation rate at Buena Vista University is higher than La Sierra University (55% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from La Sierra University earn on average $10,700 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates after ten years. ($51,900 vs. $41,200)
  • Buena Vista University students graduate with a $5,978 lower median federal student loan debt than La Sierra University graduates. ($24,022 vs. $30,000)
  • Buena Vista University graduates are paying $62 less per month on federal student loans than La Sierra University graduates. ($248 vs. $310)
  • More Buena Vista University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 52%)

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