Thomas University vs. Buena Vista University

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

 Thomas University Buena Vista University
Location Thomasville, GA Storm Lake, IA
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,531 1,973
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #712 #714
Religious Affiliation - Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website thomasu.edu bvu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Thomas University Buena Vista University
Tuition (In State) $10,800 $38,644
Tuition (Out of State) $10,800 $38,644
Room & Board $7,040 $10,680
Avg Net Price $12,557 $19,204
Avg Grant Aid $8,178 $33,703
% Receiving Grant Aid 56% 100%

Admission

 Thomas University Buena Vista University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 358 1,562
Admitted 165 1,207
Acceptance Rate 46.1%Open 77.3%
Enrolled % 61.2%Open 19.6%
Avg High School GPA - 3.49
Typical High School Grades - B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/20 20/24
SAT Range 920/1140 930/1130
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

 Thomas University Buena Vista University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (24%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • General Studies (7%)
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

 Thomas University Buena Vista University
Graduation Rate 8% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,000 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 36% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,620 $24,022
Median Loan Payment $213 $248

Diversity

 Thomas University Buena Vista University
% Men 33% 30%
% Women 67% 70%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 47% 80%
% Black 24% 1%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 1%
% International 5% 4%
% Unknown Race 19% 7%

Students

 Thomas University Buena Vista University
% In-State 37% 58%
% Out-of-State 50% 41%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Buena Vista University is larger than than Thomas University based on total student enrollment (1,973 students vs. 1,531 students)

Thomas University vs. Buena Vista University Cost Comparison

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

  • Buena Vista University is 257.8% more expensive to attend than Thomas University for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $10,800.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 257.8% higher at Buena Vista University than Thomas University ($38,644.00 vs. $10,800.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Thomas University than Buena Vista University ($12,557 vs. $19,204)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas University are 51.7% lower than costs at Buena Vista University ($7,040 vs. $10,680)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University than Thomas University (100% vs. 56%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 312.1% larger than aid received Thomas University ($33,703 vs. $8,178)

Thomas University vs. Buena Vista University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Buena Vista University has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Thomas University (46.1%)

Thomas University vs. Buena Vista University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Thomas University or Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista University and Thomas University.

  • The graduation rate at Buena Vista University is higher than Thomas University (55% vs. 8%)
  • Graduates from Buena Vista University earn on average $3,200 more per year than Thomas University graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $38,000)
  • Thomas University students graduate with a $3,402 lower median federal student loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates. ($20,620 vs. $24,022)
  • Thomas University graduates are paying $35 less per month on federal student loans than Buena Vista University graduates. ($213 vs. $248)
  • More Buena Vista University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Thomas University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 36%)

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