Storm Lake, IA · Private Nonprofit

Buena Vista University Cost, Tuition and Student Budget 2026

Buena Vista University cost profile summarizes tuition, total annual cost, average net price, student debt, median earnings, graduation outcomes, and value signals for 2026 budget-focused university comparison.

Budget Snapshot Moderate value signal Value Score:
Total Cost$54,222
Net Price$18,846
Median Earnings$49,156
Graduation Rate61.7%
Median Debt$17,500
Admission Rate77.6%
Student Count1,366
SAT Average1,120

Buena Vista University Student Budget Calculator 2026

Estimate how much money you may still need per year using this university's reported cost data plus your grants, family support, savings, work income, and student loans.

Estimated annual cost $18,846
Money available $0
Still needed per year $18,846
Monthly gap $1,571

Four-year projection: about $75,384 still needed over four years if the same gap repeats.

Loan projection: borrowing $0 per year equals about $0 over four years, compared with reported median debt of $17,500.

This calculator is an estimate. Actual aid, housing, residency status, program fees, family income, and borrowing limits can change the final budget.

University Cost and Earnings View

Money Profile

Median earnings$49,156Total cost$54,222Net price$18,846Median debt$17,500

Value Score Comparison

Buena Vista University52.0Dataset avg54.3IA avg53.3
Median earnings12% weaker than dataset average
$49,156
Total annual cost25% weaker than dataset average
$54,222
Average net price12% better than dataset average
$18,846
Graduation rate4.9 percentage points better than dataset average
61.7%
Median debt8% weaker than dataset average
$17,500

How This University Cost Compares

Dataset Average

Value Score: 54.3

Net Price: $21,437

Earnings: $55,928

IA Average

Value Score: 53.3

Net Price: $22,358

Earnings: $54,789

Best Use of This Page

Compare this university against schools with similar location, type, net price, total cost, debt, and earnings. A high value score is useful, but graduation rate and debt should be read together with it.

Student Fit Signals

  • Affordability: Net price is $18,846, compared with reported total cost of $54,222.
  • Outcomes: Median earnings are $49,156 and the graduation rate is 61.7%.
  • Debt pressure: Median debt is $17,500, while the loan share is 67.1%.
  • Access profile: Admission rate is 77.6% and Pell Grant share is 43.8%.
Full University Cost Data Snapshot
School TypePrivate Nonprofit
LocationStorm Lake, IA
Admission Rate77.6%
In-State Tuition$41,798
Out-of-State Tuition$41,798
Total Cost$54,222
Net Price$18,846
Median Earnings$49,156
Graduation Rate61.7%
Median Debt$17,500
Pell Grant Share43.8%
Loan Share67.1%
Average Faculty Salary$6,912
Official WebsiteVisit website

Value Score Methodology

Value Score = earnings 19.7 + graduation 15.4 + net price 8.7 + total cost 3.2 + debt 5.0 = 52.0/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt.

Earnings19.7$49,156 · max 40 pts
Graduation15.461.7% · max 25 pts
Net Price8.7$18,846 · max 15 pts
Total Cost3.2$54,222 · max 10 pts
Debt5.0$17,500 · max 10 pts

The score is a comparison signal on a 0-100 scale. It is not a guarantee of future salary, admission outcome, financial aid, or final student cost.