Northern Illinois vs. Buena Vista University

Should I go to Northern Illinois University or Buena Vista University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northern Illinois 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

ISU Southern Illinois University UIC Western Illinois University DePaul Illinois WMU EIU Bradley University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Loyola Northwest
Northern Illinois University vs. Buena Vista University comparison
Northern Illinois University Buena Vista University College 3 College 4
Northern Illinois University Buena Vista University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Northern Illinois Buena Vista University
Location Dekalb, IL Storm Lake, IA
Setting Small Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 15,649 1,973
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #454 #714
Religious Affiliation - Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website niu.edu bvu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Northern Illinois Buena Vista University
Tuition (In State) $9,790 $38,644
Tuition (Out of State) $9,790 $38,644
Room & Board $11,420 $10,680
Avg Net Price $13,884 $19,204
Avg Grant Aid $12,552 $33,703
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

 Northern Illinois Buena Vista University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,961 1,562
Admitted 18,348 1,207
Acceptance Rate 70.7% 77.3%
Enrolled % 13.3% 19.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.49
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 20/24
SAT Range 940/1170 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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 Northern Illinois Buena Vista University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

 Northern Illinois Buena Vista University
Graduation Rate 56% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,600 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,859 $24,022
Median Loan Payment $246 $248

Diversity

 Northern Illinois Buena Vista University
% Men 46% 30%
% Women 54% 70%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 57% 80%
% Black 16% 1%
% Hispanic 15% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 7%

Students

 Northern Illinois Buena Vista University
% In-State 93% 58%
% Out-of-State 5% 41%

Campus

 Northern Illinois 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

  • Northern Illinois University is larger than than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 1,973 students)

Northern Illinois vs. Buena Vista University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Buena Vista University?

  • Buena Vista University is 294.7% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 294.7% higher at Buena Vista University than Northern Illinois University ($38,644.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than Buena Vista University ($13,884 vs. $19,204)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 6.9% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($10,680 vs. $11,420)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University than Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 168.5% larger than aid received Northern Illinois University ($33,703 vs. $12,552)

Northern Illinois vs. Buena Vista University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois 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 Northern Illinois .

  • The average SAT score at Northern Illinois University (1029) is 19 points higher than at Buena Vista University (1010)
  • Incoming Northern Illinois students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Buena Vista University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3)
  • Buena Vista University has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Northern Illinois (70.7%)

Northern Illinois vs. Buena Vista University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northern Illinois 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 Northern Illinois.

  • The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than Buena Vista University (56% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $6,400 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $41,200)
  • Northern Illinois University students graduate with a $163 lower median federal student loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates. ($23,859 vs. $24,022)
  • Northern Illinois graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than Buena Vista University graduates. ($246 vs. $248)
  • More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 59%)

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