Western Illinois University vs. Buena Vista University

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

Western Illinois University Buena Vista University
Location Macomb, IL Storm Lake, IA
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 7,643 1,973
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #714
Religious Affiliation - Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu bvu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University Buena Vista University
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $38,644
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $38,644
Room & Board $10,500 $10,680
Avg Net Price $11,213 $19,204
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $33,703
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

Western Illinois University Buena Vista University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 1,562
Admitted 6,914 1,207
Acceptance Rate 75% 77.3%
Enrolled % 15.5% 19.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.49
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 20/24
SAT Range 880/1090 930/1130
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Western Illinois University Buena Vista University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University Buena Vista University
Graduation Rate 53% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $24,022
Median Loan Payment $255 $248

Diversity

Western Illinois University Buena Vista University
% Men 43% 30%
% Women 57% 70%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 80%
% Black 19% 1%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 7%

Students

Western Illinois University Buena Vista University
% In-State 89% 58%
% Out-of-State 10% 41%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Buena Vista University based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 1,973 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Buena Vista University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Buena Vista University?

  • Buena Vista University is 306.1% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 306.1% higher at Buena Vista University than Western Illinois University ($38,644.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Buena Vista University ($11,213 vs. $19,204)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 1.7% lower than costs at Buena Vista University ($10,500 vs. $10,680)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University than Western Illinois University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 115.6% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($33,703 vs. $15,632)

Western Illinois University vs. Buena Vista University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois 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 Western Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at Buena Vista University (1010) is 40 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Buena Vista University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45)
  • Buena Vista University has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. Buena Vista University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois 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 Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Buena Vista University is higher than Western Illinois University (55% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $4,800 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $41,200)
  • Buena Vista University students graduate with a $682 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($24,022 vs. $24,704)
  • Buena Vista University graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($248 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 59%)

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