Academic Comparison between UNI and Buena Vista

University of Northern Iowa and Buena Vista University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. UNI is a four-year, public school located in Cedar Falls, IA and Buena Vista is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Storm Lake, IA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • UNI is a public and Buena Vista is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Buena Vista has more expensive tuition & fees ($41,798) than UNI ($21,712).
  • It is harder to admit to Buena Vista than UNI.
  • Both UNI and Buena Vista have the same submitted ACT scores (22).
  • UNI has more students with 9,278 students while Buena Vista has 1,890 students.
  • Buena Vista has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while UNI's ratio is 18 to 1.
  • UNI has more full-time faculties with 407 faculties while Buena Vista has 64 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of Northern Iowavs.Buena Vista University
Cedar Falls, IowaLocationStorm Lake, Iowa
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (medium programs)
In-State$9,936
Out-Of-State$21,712
2025 Tuition & Fees$41,798
69%% Receiving Financial Aid88%
$7,415Average Amount of Financial Aid$22,940
92.74 %Acceptance Rates77.61 %
31.10 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)20.69 %
1,170SAT Score-
22ACT Score22
68 %Graduation Rate62 %
22 %Transfer-out Rate-
82 %Retention Rate76 %
9,278Student Population1,890
407Number of Faculties64
18 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services