University of Dubuque vs Buena Vista University

When it comes to choosing the right university, it's essential to compare institutions to find the best fit. University of Dubuque and Buena Vista University, both located in Iowa, offer distinct educational experiences. University of Dubuque boasts a higher acceptance rate (85%) compared to Buena Vista University (75%), making it a more accessible option. While Buena Vista University has a slightly larger student body, University of Dubuque offers a more diverse student population. Both universities excel in different areas of study; University of Dubuque is known for its strong programs in business and nursing, while Buena Vista University shines in education and exercise science. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including graduation rates, tuition fees, and more, to make an informed decision that aligns with your academic goals and preferences.
Buena Vista University logo

Buena Vista University

University of Dubuque logo

University of Dubuque

Overview

Location Storm Lake, Iowa Dubuque, Iowa
Campus setting Town: Remote City: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system 4-1-4 Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 73.0% 62.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation Presbyterian Presbyterian

Admission

Acceptance rate 66.0% 76.4%
Application fees $25
SAT range 963 - 1140 N/A
ACT range 18 - 25 N/A
Students submitting SAT score 8.0%
Students submitting ACT score 57.0%
Total number of applicants 1,749 1,905
Total number of admissions given out 1,154 1,456
Admitted students who chose to enroll 237 335
Yield rate 20.5% 23.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $53,162 $51,050
Average net price $18,532 $24,868
Tuition $37,518 $34,400
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $5,114

Meal plan: $5,256
Room/dormitory: $5,200

Meal plan: $5,100
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

100.0%
Average amount $31,137
100.0%
Average amount $22,700
Students receiving federal student loan 72.0%
Average amount $5,750
78.0%
Average amount $6,384
Students taking out private loans 29.0%
Average amount $5,551
31.0%
Average amount $13,145

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 1,506
Men 36.5% Women 63.5%
1,594
Men 58.2% Women 41.8%
Graduate students 453
Men 16.3% Women 83.7%
407
Men 43.2% Women 56.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Very Low
Low
Out-of-state students 39.4% N/A
International students 0.5% 4.2%
Campus local/setting Town: Remote City: Small
Dormitory capacity 836 930
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Iowa Texas Nebraska Minnesota Arizona N/A

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Education
  • Business
  • Psychology
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Law Enforcement and Firefighting
  • Transportation and Logistics
  • Theology
Students to faculty ratio 11:1 10:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 62.8% 40.0%
Dropout rate 36.8% 59.6%
Transferred out N/A N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,501
  • Year 2: $58,943
  • Year 3: $61,003
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,278
  • Year 2: $47,260
  • Year 3: $52,709
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $45,249
  • Year 2: $45,455
  • Year 3: $48,387
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,936
  • Year 2: $43,426
  • Year 3: $46,768
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $44,901
  • Year 2: $47,494
  • Year 3: $46,501
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,530
  • Year 2: $35,416
  • Year 3: $45,327
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $39,042
  • Year 2: $40,089
  • Year 3: $45,181
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,301
  • Year 2: $39,369
  • Year 3: $44,742
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,198
  • Year 2: $35,416
  • Year 3: $43,790
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,262
  • Year 2: $37,819
  • Year 3: $37,074
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,903
  • Year 2: $57,589
  • Year 3: $64,260
Air Transportation (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,490
  • Year 2: $43,798
  • Year 3: $61,208
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,828
  • Year 2: $57,318
  • Year 3: $57,048
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,141
  • Year 2: $48,432
  • Year 3: $56,505
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,107
  • Year 2: $35,701
  • Year 3: $48,768
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,218
  • Year 2: $42,682
  • Year 3: $47,464
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $39,369
  • Year 3: $46,002
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $30,561
  • Year 2: $30,119
  • Year 3: $37,930
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $37,748
  • Year 3: $37,489
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,790
  • Year 2: $37,088
  • Year 3: $36,347

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