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Buena Vista University: tuition, cost and admissions

Storm Lake, IA · Private nonprofit university · Town (remote)

1,419Undergraduates

77%Acceptance rate

1,115Average SAT

$18,475Avg net cost / yr

See Buena Vista University on the map → Official website

What Buena Vista University actually costs

Item	Amount
Tuition & fees (in-state)	$38,644	Published rate before aid
Tuition & fees (out-of-state)	$38,644	Published rate before aid
Room & board (on campus)	$10,680	Annual
Books & supplies	$1,126	Estimated annual
Total sticker cost	$51,406	Everything, before aid
Average actual cost paid	$18,475	Average paid after grants and scholarships — an average, not a quote

Across all students, the average paid here was $32,931 less than the sticker price — about 64% off, once grants and scholarships are counted. Individual awards vary enormously, and many students receive nothing at all.

Do your own due diligence on cost. Every figure above is a historical federal average for all students at this college. No student pays the average. What you are charged depends on your family’s income and assets, your academic record, the year you apply, and what aid this college has available — and it changes year to year. Use these numbers to decide which colleges are worth investigating, never to decide what one will cost you. Run the college’s own net price calculator — every US college is required by law to publish one — then confirm in writing with its financial aid office before committing to anything. We are not financial, admissions or tax advisers and have no relationship with this college.

Most popular fields of study

Education — 27%

Business, Management & Marketing — 27%

Public Administration & Social Service — 12%

Psychology — 6%

Communication & Journalism — 4%

Biological & Biomedical Sciences — 4%

Homeland Security & Law Enforcement — 4%

Agriculture — 3%

Share of degrees awarded, US Dept. of Education.

Varsity athletics at Buena Vista University

Athletic association	D-III
Men’s varsity sports (8)	Football (79), Baseball (48), Track & Field (42), Soccer (28), Basketball (21), Wrestling (21), Tennis (13), Golf (11)
Women’s varsity sports (8)	Basketball (25), Soccer (24), Track & Field (24), Volleyball (21), Softball (19), Wrestling (12), Golf (8), Tennis (7)
Softball conference	American Rivers
Head softball coach	Tammy Utley

Squad sizes in brackets, from the federal Equity in Athletics survey (2024–25). Filter by sport and division on the interactive map.

Plan a visit and compare

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Other colleges in Iowa

Iowa State University · University of Iowa · Des Moines Area Community College · University of Northern Iowa · Kirkwood Community College · Iowa Western Community College · Eastern Iowa Community College District · Iowa Central Community College