Buena Vista University vs. Fort Hays State University

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

ESU Washburn University KU K-State WSU Pitt State USAO UNK
Buena Vista University vs. Fort Hays State University comparison
Buena Vista University Fort Hays State University College 3 College 4
Buena Vista University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Buena Vista University Fort Hays State University
Location Storm Lake, IA Hays, KS
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,973 12,949
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #714 #862
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu fhsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Buena Vista University Fort Hays State University
Tuition (In State) $38,644 $4,140
Tuition (Out of State) $38,644 $14,580
Room & Board $10,680 $8,481
Avg Net Price $19,204 $13,322
Avg Grant Aid $33,703 $5,387
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 86%

Admission

Buena Vista University Fort Hays State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,562 1,828
Admitted 1,207 1,609
Acceptance Rate 77.3% 88%
Enrolled % 19.6% 51.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.45
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/24 18/24
SAT Range 930/1130 940/1190
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 Fort Hays State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (37%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (24%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)

Outcomes

Buena Vista University Fort Hays State University
Graduation Rate 55% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $41,400
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $20,718
Median Loan Payment $248 $214

Diversity

Buena Vista University Fort Hays State University
% Men 30% 38%
% Women 70% 62%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 80% 57%
% Black 1% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 7%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 4% 29%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Buena Vista University Fort Hays State University
% In-State 58% 80%
% Out-of-State 41% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Fort Hays State University is larger than than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (12,949 students vs. 1,973 students)

Buena Vista University vs. Fort Hays State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or Fort Hays State University?

  • Buena Vista University is 833.4% more expensive to attend than Fort Hays State University for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $4,140.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 165% higher at Buena Vista University than Fort Hays State University ($38,644.00 vs. $14,580.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fort Hays State University than Buena Vista University ($13,322 vs. $19,204)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Hays State University are 25.9% lower than costs at Buena Vista University ($8,481 vs. $10,680)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University than Fort Hays State University (100% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 525.6% larger than aid received Fort Hays State University ($33,703 vs. $5,387)

Buena Vista University vs. Fort Hays State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Fort Hays State University (3.45)
  • Fort Hays State University has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Buena Vista University (77.3%)

Buena Vista University vs. Fort Hays State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Buena Vista University or Fort Hays State University? 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 Fort Hays State University and Buena Vista University.

  • The graduation rate at Buena Vista University is higher than Fort Hays State University (55% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Fort Hays State University earn on average $200 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates after ten years. ($41,400 vs. $41,200)
  • Fort Hays State University students graduate with a $3,304 lower median federal student loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates. ($20,718 vs. $24,022)
  • Fort Hays State University graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than Buena Vista University graduates. ($214 vs. $248)
  • More Fort Hays State University 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/