Mount Saint Mary's University vs. Buena Vista University

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Saint Mary's University in Los Angeles, CA with Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount Saint Mary's University is larger than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (2,312 students vs. 1,890 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Saint Mary's University is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Buena Vista University is in Storm Lake, IA (Remote Town setting).
• Mount Saint Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Buena Vista University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Saint Mary's University 8:1; Buena Vista University 13:1.

Mount Saint Mary's University vs. Buena Vista University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Saint Mary's University or Buena Vista University? 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 Buena Vista University than Mount Saint Mary's University ($19,704 vs. $27,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 27% lower than at Mount Saint Mary's University ($11,330 vs. $15,518).
• Mount Saint Mary's University is 18.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buena Vista University (about $7,766 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $41,798.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.6% higher at Mount Saint Mary's University than at Buena Vista University (about $7,766 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $41,798.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mount Saint Mary's University as at Buena Vista University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Saint Mary's University students is 14% larger than aid received by Buena Vista University students ($39,218 vs. $34,397).

Mount Saint Mary's University vs. Buena Vista University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mount Saint Mary's University or Buena Vista University? 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 Buena Vista University and Mount Saint Mary's University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Buena Vista University (1030) is 20 points higher than at Mount Saint Mary's University (1010).
• Incoming Buena Vista University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Mount Saint Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Saint Mary's University 900/1110; Buena Vista University 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Saint Mary's University 18/23; Buena Vista University 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Saint Mary's University - Test-free; Buena Vista University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Mount Saint Mary's University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Buena Vista University (3.49).
• Buena Vista University has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than Mount Saint Mary's University (73.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at Mount Saint Mary's University vs. 20.7% at Buena Vista University.

Mount Saint Mary's University vs. Buena Vista University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Saint Mary's University and Buena Vista University? 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 Mount Saint Mary's University's (47%).
• Graduates from Mount Saint Mary's University earn a median of about $17,800 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Buena Vista University graduates have a $978 lower median loan debt than Mount Saint Mary's University graduates ($24,022 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Buena Vista University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount Saint Mary's University graduates ($248 vs. $258).
• More Buena Vista University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount Saint Mary's University students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.