Buena Vista University campus

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Buena Vista University

  • 5/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Storm Lake, IA
  • 0 reviews
#14 Best Private Colleges in Iowa
Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

1,890
Buena Vista University overview
  • Location Storm Lake, Iowa
  • Website bvu.edu
  • Type Private 4 Year
  • Setting Remote Town
  • Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA)
Buena Vista University overview
  • Size Small
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Buena Vista University occupies a 60-acre waterfront campus on the shores of Storm Lake in northwestern Iowa, approximately 160 miles from Des Moines. Founded in 1891 as a Presbyterian-affiliated institution, BVU's main campus features a mix of historic and modern buildings overlooking the lake, with all academic facilities and student housing contained within a walkable area. The university operates as a primarily residential campus, with most students living in one of six residence halls or campus-owned apartments. BVU's academic programs emphasize business, education, and science disciplines, with notable strengths in digital media and environmental science, while maintaining a liberal arts foundation. The institution competes in NCAA Division III athletics as the Beavers, participating in the American Rivers Conference.

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Ratings

Buena Vista University is rated within the lower 42% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    5 out of 10
  • Academics
    4 out of 10
  • Resources
    4 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    5 out of 10
  • Value
    7 out of 10
Learn how ratings are calculated

Rankings

Rankings for Buena Vista University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Very Easy
Buena Vista University admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 930/1130
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 20/24
  • GPA 3.49

Acceptance Rate

77.6%
Buena Vista University applications overview
  • Applications Due -
  • Enrollment Rate 20.7%
  • Application Fee $0

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$41,798
Costs for Buena Vista University
Fee Cost
Tuition $41,798
Books and Supplies $2,089
Other Fees $0
Room and Board $11,330
Budget for Other Expenses $2,504
Total One Year Cost $57,721
View Tuition & Financial Aid Details

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$41,200 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

55% within 6 years
View Post Graduation Outcomes

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Buena Vista University are Business, General Studies, and Education. 34% of students major in Business, 18% in General Studies, and 14% in Education.

  • Business 34%
  • General Studies 18%
  • Education 14%
  • Psychology 11%
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting 7%
View All 49 Majors

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=153001.

GPA calculator: Buena Vista University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026