Buena Vista University vs Grinnell College
Buena Vista University is a private university in Storm Lake, IA. Grinnell College is a private college in Grinnell, IA. Grinnell College admits about 15% of applicants and Buena Vista University about 78%, making Grinnell College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $17,648 a year at Grinnell College after aid, and about $18,846 at Buena Vista University. About 88% of students graduate at Grinnell College, compared with 54% at Buena Vista University. Ten years after enrolling, Grinnell College alumni earn a median of about $62,830, against $49,156 for Buena Vista University.
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- Is Buena Vista University or Grinnell College harder to get into?
- Grinnell College is harder to get into. It admits about 15% of applicants, compared with 78% at Buena Vista University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Buena Vista University or Grinnell College?
- Grinnell College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $17,648 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $18,846 at Buena Vista University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Buena Vista University and Grinnell College?
- Before aid, Buena Vista University costs about $54,222 a year and Grinnell College about $83,440. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Buena Vista University or Grinnell College?
- Grinnell College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,970 there, against about $12,901 at Buena Vista University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Buena Vista University or Grinnell College?
- Grinnell College is the larger of the two, with about 1,729 undergraduates against 1,366 at Buena Vista University.
- Does Buena Vista University or Grinnell College have a better graduation rate?
- Grinnell College has the higher graduation rate, at about 88% against 54% at Buena Vista University.
- Do graduates of Buena Vista University or Grinnell College earn more?
- Grinnell College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $62,830 ten years after enrolling, against about $49,156 for Buena Vista University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Buena Vista University and Grinnell College require SAT or ACT scores?
- Buena Vista University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Grinnell College considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
- What SAT scores do Buena Vista University and Grinnell College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 930–1130 at Buena Vista University and 1410–1540 at Grinnell College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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