Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (B) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 47%
Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Buena Vista University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 51% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 36th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (IA wage index 0.90). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Buena Vista University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $52,226 | $63,950 | -23% | #409 of 452 | #391 | $20,700 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | — | $63,832 | +20% | #57 of 476 | #35 | — |
| Accounting and Related Services | $53,280 | $63,454 | -17% | #648 of 796 | #612 | $23,270 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $49,099 | $58,540 | -4% | #41 of 67 | #39 | $20,834 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,385 | $58,440 | -14% | #850 of 1176 | #772 | $25,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | — | $56,329 | -17% | #175 of 187 | #164 | $21,833 |
| Marketing | $42,972 | $55,330 | -20% | #456 of 516 | #441 | $20,931 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $37,641 | $53,736 | -3% | #370 of 660 | #305 | $20,750 |
| Education | — | $50,997 | +2% | #30 of 71 | #23 | $22,189 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $38,356 | $49,281 | -10% | #432 of 610 | #391 | $27,000 |
| Business/Commerce | $48,810 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $44,551 | $48,048 | -7% | #252 of 345 | #239 | $28,900 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $42,834 | $45,573 | -4% | #464 of 680 | #441 | $28,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | $37,138 | $45,185 | -19% | #184 of 207 | #177 | $23,826 |
| Psychology | $35,559 | $44,755 | -12% | #812 of 1027 | #725 | $22,500 |
| Biology | $30,682 | — | — | — | — | $26,918 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The Buena Vista University Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $195,831
- Avg rent near campus: $909/mo — vs ~$585/mo campus room rate
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 51053 (4.9% cap, Schaller)
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Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $40,190 | $40,190 |
| Room | $5,266 | |
| Board | $5,630 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $54,779 | $54,779 |
Financial Aid
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Buena Vista University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Buena Vista University?
How much does it cost to attend Buena Vista University?
What is the graduation rate at Buena Vista University?
Is Buena Vista University a good school?
- Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (F): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (B): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (F): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Buena Vista University?
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Buena Vista University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to Buena Vista University
Compare with other 4-Year private non-profit institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology