Buena Vista University vs. Bethany College

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

Buena Vista University vs. Bethany College comparison
Buena Vista University Bethany College College 3 College 4
Buena Vista University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Buena Vista University Bethany College
Location Storm Lake, IA Bethany, WV
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 1,973 623
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #714
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu bethanywv.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Buena Vista University Bethany College
Tuition (In State) $38,644 $30,720
Tuition (Out of State) $38,644 $30,720
Room & Board $10,680 $11,900
Avg Net Price $19,204 $17,605
Avg Grant Aid $33,703 $30,005
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Buena Vista University Bethany College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,562 2,651
Admitted 1,207 1,721
Acceptance Rate 77.3% 64.9%
Enrolled % 19.6% 10.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 2.85
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/24 18/26
SAT Range 930/1130 870/1110
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

 Buena Vista University Bethany College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Human Services (8%)

Outcomes

 Buena Vista University Bethany College
Graduation Rate 55% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $44,000
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $30,884
Median Loan Payment $248 $319

Diversity

 Buena Vista University Bethany College
% Men 30% 56%
% Women 70% 44%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 80% 51%
% Black 1% 18%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 7% 20%

Students

 Buena Vista University Bethany College
% In-State 58% 22%
% Out-of-State 41% 68%

Campus

 Buena Vista University Bethany College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
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 Bethany College based on total student enrollment (1,973 students vs. 623 students)

Buena Vista University vs. Bethany College Cost Comparison

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

  • Buena Vista University is 25.8% more expensive to attend than Bethany College for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $30,720.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25.8% higher at Buena Vista University than Bethany College ($38,644.00 vs. $30,720.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bethany College than Buena Vista University ($17,605 vs. $19,204)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 11.4% lower than costs at Bethany College ($10,680 vs. $11,900)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University as Bethany College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 12.3% larger than aid received Bethany College ($33,703 vs. $30,005)

Buena Vista University vs. Bethany College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Buena Vista University or Bethany College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Bethany College or Buena Vista University .

  • The average SAT score at Buena Vista University (1010) is 103 points higher than at Bethany College (907)
  • Incoming Buena Vista University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Bethany College (20)
  • Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Bethany College (2.85)
  • Buena Vista University has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Bethany College (64.9%)

Buena Vista University vs. Bethany College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Buena Vista University or Bethany College? 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 Bethany College and Buena Vista University.

  • The graduation rate at Buena Vista University is higher than Bethany College (55% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from Bethany College earn on average $2,800 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates after ten years. ($44,000 vs. $41,200)
  • Buena Vista University students graduate with a $6,862 lower median federal student loan debt than Bethany College graduates. ($24,022 vs. $30,884)
  • Buena Vista University graduates are paying $71 less per month on federal student loans than Bethany College graduates. ($248 vs. $319)
  • More Buena Vista University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethany College students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 56%)

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