Buena Vista University vs. Central College

Buena Vista University and Central College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Buena Vista University
Central College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Buena Vista University (77.6% admitted vs 86.2%). Typical SAT 1030 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: Buena Vista University. Average net price is $19,704 vs $23,848 at Central College.
  • Graduation: Buena Vista University 55% vs Central College 63%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Buena Vista University $41,200 vs Central College $48,000 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Buena Vista University Central College
Acceptance rate
Buena Vista University more selective
Buena Vista University77.6%
Central College86.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Buena Vista University higher
Buena Vista University930-1130
Central College1056-1120
Average net price
Buena Vista University $4,144 less
Buena Vista University$19,704
Central College$23,848
In-state tuition
Central College $20,810 less
Buena Vista University$41,798
Central College$20,988
Out-of-state tuition
Central College $20,810 less
Buena Vista University$41,798
Central College$20,988
Graduation rate
Central College +8 pts
Buena Vista University55%
Central College63%
Median earnings (10 years)
Central College +$6,800
Buena Vista University$41,200
Central College$48,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Buena Vista University and Central College with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Buena Vista University Check my chances at Central College
  • Applied
  • Buena Vista University 1,389
  • Central College 1,706
  • Admitted
  • Buena Vista University 1,078
  • Central College 1,470
  • Acceptance rate
  • Buena Vista University 77.6%
  • Central College 86.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Buena Vista University 20.7%
  • Central College 21%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Buena Vista University 1030
  • Central College 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • Buena Vista University 22
  • Central College 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • Buena Vista University 3.49
  • Central College 3.52
  • Typical high school grades
  • Buena Vista University B+
  • Central College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Buena Vista University Very Easy
  • Central College Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Buena Vista University
  • Central College
  • SAT range
  • Buena Vista University 930-1130
  • Central College 1056-1120
  • ACT range
  • Buena Vista University 20-24
  • Central College 20-26
  • Submit test scores
  • Buena Vista University Test optional
  • Central College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Buena Vista University
  • Central College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Buena Vista University $41,798
  • Central College $20,988
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Buena Vista University $41,798
  • Central College $20,988
  • Room & board
  • Buena Vista University $11,330
  • Central College $12,060
  • Average net price
  • Buena Vista University $19,704
  • Central College $23,848
  • Average grant aid
  • Buena Vista University $34,397
  • Central College $13,925
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Buena Vista University 100%
  • Central College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Buena Vista University 55%
  • Central College 63%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Buena Vista University $41,200
  • Central College $48,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Buena Vista University 59%
  • Central College 78%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Buena Vista University $24,022
  • Central College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Buena Vista University $248
  • Central College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Buena Vista University 13:1
  • Central College 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Buena Vista University
    • Business (34%)
    • General Studies (18%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Central College
    • Business (17%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Location
  • Buena Vista University Storm Lake, IA
  • Central College Pella, IA
  • Setting
  • Buena Vista University Remote Town
  • Central College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Buena Vista University 1,890
  • Central College 1,084
  • Type
  • Buena Vista University Private 4 Year
  • Central College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Buena Vista University #735
  • Central College #506

Comparable Facts

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

Buena Vista University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,890 students vs. 1,084 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Buena Vista University is located in Storm Lake, IA (Remote Town setting); Central College is in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting).
  • Buena Vista University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Buena Vista University 13:1; Central College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 6.1% lower than at Central College ($11,330 vs. $12,060).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 99.2% higher at Buena Vista University than at Central College (about $20,810 more per year; $41,798 vs. $20,988).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Buena Vista University as at Central College (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 147% larger than aid received by Central College students ($34,397 vs. $13,925).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Central College than at Buena Vista University (23 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Buena Vista University and Central College.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Central College average a 3.52 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Buena Vista University (3.49).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at Buena Vista University vs. 21% at Central College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Buena Vista University graduates have a $2,978 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($24,022 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Buena Vista University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($248 vs. $279).
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation (78% vs. 59%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Buena Vista University
Central College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges