Buena Vista University vs. Union College

Should I go to Buena Vista University or Union College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Buena Vista University or Union 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
Buena Vista University vs. Union College comparison
Buena Vista University Union College College 3 College 4
Buena Vista University Union College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Buena Vista University Union College
Location Storm Lake, IA Schenectady, NY
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 1,973 2,107
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #714 #76
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu union.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Buena Vista University Union College
Tuition (In State) $38,644 $63,603
Tuition (Out of State) $38,644 $63,603
Room & Board $10,680 $15,768
Avg Net Price $19,204 $41,136
Avg Grant Aid $33,703 $37,530
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 93%

Admission

Buena Vista University Union College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,562 8,458
Admitted 1,207 3,934
Acceptance Rate 77.3% 46.5%
Enrolled % 19.6% 14.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/24 29/33
SAT Range 930/1130 1310/1490
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 Jan 15, 2024

Academics

Buena Vista University Union College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Social Sciences (25%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Engineering (12%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Physical Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

Buena Vista University Union College
Graduation Rate 55% 86%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $74,200
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 86%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $279

Diversity

Buena Vista University Union College
% Men 30% 55%
% Women 70% 45%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 73%
% Black 1% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 7%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 4% 7%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

Buena Vista University Union College
% In-State 58% 28%
% Out-of-State 41% 63%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Union College is larger than than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (2,107 students vs. 1,973 students)

Buena Vista University vs. Union College Cost Comparison

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

  • Union College is 64.6% more expensive to attend than Buena Vista University for in-state tuition ($63,603.00 vs. $38,644.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 64.6% higher at Union College than Buena Vista University ($63,603.00 vs. $38,644.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Buena Vista University than Union College ($19,204 vs. $41,136)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 47.6% lower than costs at Union College ($10,680 vs. $15,768)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University than Union College (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 11.4% larger than aid received Buena Vista University ($37,530 vs. $33,703)

Buena Vista University vs. Union College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Union College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Buena Vista University (3.49)
  • Buena Vista University has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Union College (46.5%)

Buena Vista University vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Union College is higher than Buena Vista University (86% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Union College earn on average $33,000 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates after ten years. ($74,200 vs. $41,200)
  • Buena Vista University students graduate with a $2,978 lower median federal student loan debt than Union College graduates. ($24,022 vs. $27,000)
  • Buena Vista University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Union College graduates. ($248 vs. $279)
  • More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 59%)

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