Buena Vista University vs. Valley City State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA with Valley City State University in Valley City, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Buena Vista University is larger than Valley City State University based on total student enrollment (1,890 students vs. 1,806 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Buena Vista University is located in Storm Lake, IA (Remote Town setting); Valley City State University is in Valley City, ND (Remote Town setting).
• Buena Vista University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Valley City State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Buena Vista University 13:1; Valley City State University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valley City State University are 24.3% lower than at Buena Vista University ($8,580 vs. $11,330).
• Out-of-state tuition is 208.6% higher at Buena Vista University than at Valley City State University (about $28,254 more per year; $41,798 vs. $13,544).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Buena Vista University than at Valley City State University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 360.7% larger than aid received by Valley City State University students ($34,397 vs. $7,467).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Buena Vista University than at Valley City State University (22 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Buena Vista University and Valley City State University.
• Enrolled first-year students at Buena Vista University average a 3.49 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at Valley City State University (3.31).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at Buena Vista University vs. 53.9% at Valley City State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Valley City State University graduates have a $2,692 lower median loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates ($21,330 vs. $24,022).
• Among borrowers, Valley City State University graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Buena Vista University graduates ($220 vs. $248).
• More Valley City State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation (71% vs. 59%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.