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Buena Vista University

Storm Lake, IA·Private·https://www.bvu.edu/

Campus Identity

NCAA D3Graduate Programs

Buena Vista University is a small private nonprofit university in Storm Lake, IA. Approximately 1,366 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 78% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 45/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Buena Vista University is a small private nonprofit university in Storm Lake, IA. Approximately 1,366 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 78% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 45/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

78%
Acceptance Rate
1,389 applications
22
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 19–26
$37,518
In-State Tuition
$37,518
Out-of-State Tuition
$11,330
Room & Board
14 meals/week
1,366
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
21%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
NCAA D3
Athletics
American Rivers
Selectivity78% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

Campus Lifestyle

Athletics

NCAA D3

American Rivers

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Town setting

Ski Access

77 miles

Seven Oaks Recreation

Weather

Cold Climate

39°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

77 mi away
35 skiable acres4 lifts
95 mi away
50 skiable acres2 lifts
98 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Storm Lake, IA

17°Jan22°Feb34°Mar48°Apr59°May70°Jun73°Jul71°Aug63°Sep50°Oct36°Nov23°Dec

Station: STORM LAKE · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

45/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety474735
47/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
47/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
35/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$37,518
Room & Board
$11,330
Total
$48,848
Meal Plan: 14 meals/week

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

62 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsBachelor's
83 grads/yr$45,573
Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
54 grads/yr$58,440
Human Services, GeneralBachelor's
51 grads/yr
Student Counseling and Personnel ServicesMaster's
48 grads/yr$58,059
Curriculum and InstructionMaster's
46 grads/yr$68,691

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Curriculum and Instruction
Master's46 grads$68,691
Finance and Financial Management Services
Bachelor's16 grads$63,950
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Bachelor's1 grads$63,832
Accounting and Related Services
Bachelor's21 grads$63,454
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
Master's24 grads$62,389
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's38 grads$61,710
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
Bachelor's grads$58,540
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Bachelor's54 grads$58,440
Student Counseling and Personnel Services
Master's48 grads$58,059
Human Resources Management and Services
Bachelor's grads$56,329

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Buena Vista University located?

Buena Vista University is located in Storm Lake, IA. The main campus address is 610 W 4th St, Storm Lake, IA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Buena Vista University?

Buena Vista University has an acceptance rate of 78%, making it accessible. Out of 1,389 applicants, 1,078 were admitted in the most recent year. 1,366 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Buena Vista University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Buena Vista University scored between 19 and 26 on the ACT, with a median of 22. About 33% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Buena Vista University?

For the 2023–24 academic year, Buena Vista University charges $37,518/year in tuition. Including room and board ($11,330/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $37,518/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use Buena Vista University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

Does Buena Vista University have college sports?

Yes — Buena Vista University competes at the NCAA D3 level in the American Rivers. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.

Is Buena Vista University the right fit for me?

Whether Buena Vista University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (78% admit rate), cost ($37,518/year out-of-state), campus culture in Storm Lake, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Buena Vista University against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Buena Vista University directly for the most current information.

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Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Storm Lake, IA
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's
NCAA
NCAA D3
Conference
American Rivers
School Year Weather
Cold · 39°F avg
On Campus Safety Score
45/100
Nearest Airport
Fort Dodge, IA (FOD) · 52 mialso SUX (62 mi), OMA (99 mi)

Location

Storm Lake, IA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.