Buena Vista University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

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

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Buena Vista University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University comparison
Buena Vista University Southwest Minnesota State University College 3 College 4
Buena Vista University
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Overview

Buena Vista University Southwest Minnesota State University
Location Storm Lake, IA Marshall, MN
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 1,973 6,930
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #714 #948
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu smsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Buena Vista University Southwest Minnesota State University
Tuition (In State) $38,644 $8,840
Tuition (Out of State) $38,644 $8,840
Room & Board $10,680 $9,258
Avg Net Price $19,204 $15,004
Avg Grant Aid $33,703 $7,389
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

Buena Vista University Southwest Minnesota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,562 1,558
Admitted 1,207 1,427
Acceptance Rate 77.3% 91.6%
Enrolled % 19.6% 22.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.21
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/24 17/23
SAT Range 930/1130 935/1102
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 18, 2024

Academics

Buena Vista University Southwest Minnesota 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 (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

Buena Vista University Southwest Minnesota State University
Graduation Rate 55% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $21,678
Median Loan Payment $248 $224

Diversity

Buena Vista University Southwest Minnesota State University
% Men 30% 38%
% Women 70% 62%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 80%
% Black 1% 5%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 4% 5%
% Unknown Race 7% 2%

Students

Buena Vista University Southwest Minnesota State University
% In-State 58% 74%
% Out-of-State 41% 20%

Campus

Buena Vista University Southwest Minnesota State University
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

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 1,973 students)

Buena Vista University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or Southwest Minnesota State University?

  • Buena Vista University is 337.1% more expensive to attend than Southwest Minnesota State University for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 337.1% higher at Buena Vista University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($38,644.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwest Minnesota State University than Buena Vista University ($15,004 vs. $19,204)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 15.4% lower than costs at Buena Vista University ($9,258 vs. $10,680)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University than Southwest Minnesota State University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 356.1% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($33,703 vs. $7,389)

Buena Vista University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Buena Vista University (1010) is 2 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008)
  • Incoming Buena Vista University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Southwest Minnesota State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.6%) than Buena Vista University (77.3%)

Buena Vista University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Buena Vista University or Southwest Minnesota 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 Southwest Minnesota State University and Buena Vista University.

  • The graduation rate at Buena Vista University is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University (55% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates of Buena Vista University and Southwest Minnesota State University have equivalent average earnings after ten years ($41,200 vs. $41,200)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $2,344 lower median federal student loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates. ($21,678 vs. $24,022)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than Buena Vista University graduates. ($224 vs. $248)
  • More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 59%)

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