Blackburn College vs. Buena Vista University

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

 Blackburn College Buena Vista University
Location Carlinville, IL Storm Lake, IA
Setting Rural Fringe Remote Town
Enrollment 382 1,973
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #714
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website blackburn.edu bvu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Blackburn College Buena Vista University
Tuition (In State) $26,055 $38,644
Tuition (Out of State) $26,055 $38,644
Room & Board $9,020 $10,680
Avg Net Price $21,575 $19,204
Avg Grant Aid $14,112 $33,703
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Blackburn College Buena Vista University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 783 1,562
Admitted 504 1,207
Acceptance Rate 64.4% 77.3%
Enrolled % 21% 19.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.23 3.49
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/24 20/24
SAT Range 888/1125 930/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 Blackburn College Buena Vista University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

 Blackburn College Buena Vista University
Graduation Rate 48% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,400 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $24,022
Median Loan Payment $268 $248

Diversity

 Blackburn College Buena Vista University
% Men 44% 30%
% Women 56% 70%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 80%
% Black 13% 1%
% Hispanic 2% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 7%

Students

 Blackburn College Buena Vista University
% In-State 70% 58%
% Out-of-State 30% 41%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Buena Vista University is larger than than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (1,973 students vs. 382 students)

Blackburn College vs. Buena Vista University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or Buena Vista University?

  • Buena Vista University is 48.3% more expensive to attend than Blackburn College for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $26,055.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 48.3% higher at Buena Vista University than Blackburn College ($38,644.00 vs. $26,055.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Buena Vista University than Blackburn College ($19,204 vs. $21,575)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 18.4% lower than costs at Buena Vista University ($9,020 vs. $10,680)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Blackburn College as Buena Vista University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 138.8% larger than aid received Blackburn College ($33,703 vs. $14,112)

Blackburn College vs. Buena Vista University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College 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 Blackburn College .

  • The average SAT score at Buena Vista University (1010) is 5 points higher than at Blackburn College (1005)
  • Incoming Blackburn College students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Buena Vista University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Blackburn College (3.23)
  • Buena Vista University has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Blackburn College (64.4%)

Blackburn College vs. Buena Vista University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Blackburn College 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 Blackburn College.

  • The graduation rate at Buena Vista University is higher than Blackburn College (55% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from Buena Vista University earn on average $800 more per year than Blackburn College graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $40,400)
  • Buena Vista University students graduate with a $1,978 lower median federal student loan debt than Blackburn College graduates. ($24,022 vs. $26,000)
  • Buena Vista University graduates are paying $20 less per month on federal student loans than Blackburn College graduates. ($248 vs. $268)
  • More Buena Vista University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Blackburn College students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 58%)

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