Buena Vista University vs. Ferrum College

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

Guilford College AU Dominican College RU Virginia University of Lynchburg North Carolina Wesleyan College Longwood University
Buena Vista University vs. Ferrum College comparison
Buena Vista University Ferrum College College 3 College 4
Buena Vista University Ferrum College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Buena Vista University Ferrum College
Location Storm Lake, IA Ferrum, VA
Setting Remote Town Distant Rural
Enrollment 1,973 855
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #714
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu ferrum.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Buena Vista University Ferrum College
Tuition (In State) $38,644 $37,400
Tuition (Out of State) $38,644 $37,400
Room & Board $10,680 $13,230
Avg Net Price $19,204 $25,558
Avg Grant Aid $33,703 $26,580
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

Buena Vista University Ferrum College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,562 1,452
Admitted 1,207 1,224
Acceptance Rate 77.3% 84.3%
Enrolled % 19.6% 19.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.14
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/24
SAT Range 930/1130 900/1110
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 Sep 15, 2023

Academics

Buena Vista University Ferrum 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 (20%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

Buena Vista University Ferrum College
Graduation Rate 55% 31%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $39,000
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 49%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $28,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $289

Diversity

Buena Vista University Ferrum College
% Men 30% 58%
% Women 70% 42%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 80% 52%
% Black 1% 34%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 6%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Buena Vista University Ferrum College
% In-State 58% 64%
% Out-of-State 41% 34%

Campus

Buena Vista University Ferrum 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 Ferrum College based on total student enrollment (1,973 students vs. 855 students)

Buena Vista University vs. Ferrum College Cost Comparison

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

  • Buena Vista University is 3.3% more expensive to attend than Ferrum College for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $37,400.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.3% higher at Buena Vista University than Ferrum College ($38,644.00 vs. $37,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Buena Vista University than Ferrum College ($19,204 vs. $25,558)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 23.9% lower than costs at Ferrum College ($10,680 vs. $13,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University than Ferrum College (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 26.8% larger than aid received Ferrum College ($33,703 vs. $26,580)

Buena Vista University vs. Ferrum College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Buena Vista University (1010) is 129 points higher than at Ferrum College (881)
  • Incoming Buena Vista University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Ferrum College (18)
  • Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Ferrum College (3.14)
  • Ferrum College has a higher acceptance rate (84.3%) than Buena Vista University (77.3%)

Buena Vista University vs. Ferrum College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Buena Vista University is higher than Ferrum College (55% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Buena Vista University earn on average $2,200 more per year than Ferrum College graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $39,000)
  • Buena Vista University students graduate with a $3,978 lower median federal student loan debt than Ferrum College graduates. ($24,022 vs. $28,000)
  • Buena Vista University graduates are paying $41 less per month on federal student loans than Ferrum College graduates. ($248 vs. $289)
  • More Buena Vista University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferrum College students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 49%)

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