Buena Vista University vs Northwestern College
Buena Vista University is a private university in Storm Lake, IA, and Northwestern College is a private college in Orange City, IA. Buena Vista University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 78% of applicants against 80% at Northwestern College. Buena Vista University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $18,846 a year against $25,907 at Northwestern College. About 65% of students graduate at Northwestern College, compared with 54% at Buena Vista University. Ten years after enrolling, Northwestern College alumni earn a median of about $49,802, against $49,156 for Buena Vista University.
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Buena Vista University or Northwestern College harder to get into?
- Buena Vista University is harder to get into. It admits about 78% of applicants, compared with 80% at Northwestern College. 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 Northwestern College?
- Buena Vista University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,846 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $25,907 at Northwestern College. 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 Northwestern College?
- Before aid, Northwestern College costs about $49,783 a year and Buena Vista University about $54,222. 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 Northwestern College?
- Buena Vista University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $12,901 there, against about $27,059 at Northwestern College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Buena Vista University or Northwestern College?
- Buena Vista University is the larger of the two, with about 1,366 undergraduates against 1,175 at Northwestern College.
- Does Buena Vista University or Northwestern College have a better graduation rate?
- Northwestern College has the higher graduation rate, at about 65% against 54% at Buena Vista University.
- Do graduates of Buena Vista University or Northwestern College earn more?
- Northwestern College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $49,802 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 Northwestern College require SAT or ACT scores?
- Buena Vista University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Northwestern College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Buena Vista University and Northwestern College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 930–1130 at Buena Vista University and 940–1240 at Northwestern College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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