Buena Vista University vs. Catawba College

Should I go to Buena Vista University or Catawba College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Buena Vista University or Catawba 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
Buena Vista University vs. Catawba College comparison
Buena Vista University Catawba College College 3 College 4
Buena Vista University Catawba College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Buena Vista University Catawba College
Location Storm Lake, IA Salisbury, NC
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 1,973 1,172
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #714 #515
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu catawba.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Buena Vista University Catawba College
Tuition (In State) $38,644 $32,868
Tuition (Out of State) $38,644 $32,868
Room & Board $10,680 $11,576
Avg Net Price $19,204 $19,701
Avg Grant Aid $33,703 $26,913
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Buena Vista University Catawba College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,562 3,199
Admitted 1,207 2,146
Acceptance Rate 77.3% 67.1%
Enrolled % 19.6% 13.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.64
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/24 18/27
SAT Range 930/1130 1000/1210
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 Aug 15, 2024

Academics

Buena Vista University Catawba College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Buena Vista University Catawba College
Graduation Rate 55% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $42,000
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $258

Diversity

Buena Vista University Catawba College
% Men 30% 48%
% Women 70% 52%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 80% 69%
% Black 1% 19%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 4% 3%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

Buena Vista University Catawba College
% In-State 58% 61%
% Out-of-State 41% 34%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Buena Vista University is larger than than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (1,973 students vs. 1,172 students)

Buena Vista University vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

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

  • Buena Vista University is 17.6% more expensive to attend than Catawba College for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $32,868.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17.6% higher at Buena Vista University than Catawba College ($38,644.00 vs. $32,868.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Buena Vista University than Catawba College ($19,204 vs. $19,701)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 8.4% lower than costs at Catawba College ($10,680 vs. $11,576)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University as Catawba College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 25.2% larger than aid received Catawba College ($33,703 vs. $26,913)

Buena Vista University vs. Catawba College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Buena Vista University (1010) is 20 points higher than at Catawba College (990)
  • Incoming Buena Vista University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Catawba College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Buena Vista University (3.49)
  • Buena Vista University has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Catawba College (67.1%)

Buena Vista University vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Buena Vista University or Catawba 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 Catawba College and Buena Vista University.

  • The graduation rate at Buena Vista University is higher than Catawba College (55% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Catawba College earn on average $800 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $41,200)
  • Buena Vista University students graduate with a $978 lower median federal student loan debt than Catawba College graduates. ($24,022 vs. $25,000)
  • Buena Vista University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than Catawba College graduates. ($248 vs. $258)
  • More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 59%)

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