Buena Vista University vs. Bethany College

Comparable Facts

Compare Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA with Bethany College in Bethany, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Buena Vista University is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (1,890 students vs. 640 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Buena Vista University is located in Storm Lake, IA (Remote Town setting); Bethany College is in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Buena Vista University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Buena Vista University 13:1; Bethany College 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 14.2% lower than at Bethany College ($11,330 vs. $13,210).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.7% higher at Buena Vista University than at Bethany College (about $5,033 more per year; $41,798 vs. $36,765).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Buena Vista University as at Bethany College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 8.7% larger than aid received by Bethany College students ($34,397 vs. $31,646).

Admissions details

• Incoming Buena Vista University students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 22) as students at Bethany College (22).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Buena Vista University, test-free at Bethany College.
• Enrolled first-year students at Buena Vista University average a 3.49 high school GPA, 0.64 higher than at Bethany College (2.85).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at Buena Vista University vs. 27.3% at Bethany College.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Buena Vista University graduates have a $6,862 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($24,022 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, Buena Vista University graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.