Buena Vista University vs. NSU

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

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Buena Vista University vs. Northern State University comparison
Buena Vista University Northern State University College 3 College 4
Buena Vista University
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Overview

Buena Vista University NSU
Location Storm Lake, IA Aberdeen, SD
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,973 3,344
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #714 #820
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu northern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Buena Vista University NSU
Tuition (In State) $38,644 $7,616
Tuition (Out of State) $38,644 $10,718
Room & Board $10,680 $9,150
Avg Net Price $19,204 $17,264
Avg Grant Aid $33,703 $5,715
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 91%

Admission

Buena Vista University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,562 1,322
Admitted 1,207 1,033
Acceptance Rate 77.3% 78.1%
Enrolled % 19.6% 28.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.37
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/24 18/24
SAT Range 930/1130 800/1150
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 NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (35%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

Buena Vista University NSU
Graduation Rate 55% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $24,399
Median Loan Payment $248 $252

Diversity

Buena Vista University NSU
% Men 30% 37%
% Women 70% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 83%
% Black 1% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 1% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

Buena Vista University NSU
% In-State 58% 69%
% Out-of-State 41% 30%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern State University is larger than than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (3,344 students vs. 1,973 students)

Buena Vista University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or NSU?

  • Buena Vista University is 407.4% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $7,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 260.6% higher at Buena Vista University than Northern State University ($38,644.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern State University than Buena Vista University ($17,264 vs. $19,204)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 16.7% lower than costs at Buena Vista University ($9,150 vs. $10,680)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University than Northern State University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 489.7% larger than aid received Northern State University ($33,703 vs. $5,715)

Buena Vista University vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern State University (1024) is 14 points higher than at Buena Vista University (1010)
  • Incoming Buena Vista University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at NSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at NSU (3.37)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than Buena Vista University (77.3%)

Buena Vista University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Buena Vista University or NSU? 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 NSU and Buena Vista University.

  • The graduation rate at Buena Vista University is higher than Northern State University (55% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Buena Vista University earn on average $3,800 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $37,400)
  • Buena Vista University students graduate with a $377 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($24,022 vs. $24,399)
  • Buena Vista University graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($248 vs. $252)
  • More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 59%)

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