Buena Vista University (BVU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Buena Vista University
Set along the shore of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University blends a liberal-arts core with career-minded study. It's known for close faculty attention, hands-on projects, and coursework that stays practical without losing big-picture thinking. Modern labs, studios, and collaborative classrooms sit beside a well-used library, writing and tutoring support, plus wellness and counseling services students actually use.
Campus life feels friendly and pretty active. Clubs, student media, arts, and plenty of intramurals keep nights busy, while the lake pulls people outside for walks, paddling, or a quiet sunset when the weather cooperates. The culture has a roll-up-your-sleeves Midwestern vibe. Career prep is a focus, with guidance that helps line up internships across Iowa and alumni who answer emails. And the town offers real-world experience in schools, clinics, nonprofits, and small businesses. A campus-wide day of service knits campus and community together, and game days carry real school pride.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Buena Vista University (BVU) offers 57 degree programs across 21 major academic fields, graduating approximately 728 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Education (17 programs, 362 graduates), Business (6 programs, 174 graduates), Psychology (2 programs, 75 graduates), Agriculture (2 programs, 17 graduates) and Kinesiology (2 programs, 14 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Education (17 programs, 362 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Education | 92 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1202 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 80 |
|
Master's
|
13.0301 |
| School Counseling and Guidance | 60 |
|
Master's
|
13.1101 |
| Instructional Technology | 22 |
|
Master's
|
13.0501 |
| Elementary Special Education Teaching | 21 |
|
Master's
|
13.1017 |
| Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities | 17 |
|
Master's
|
13.1011 |
| English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching | 12 |
|
Master's
|
13.1401 |
| General Education | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.0101 |
| Special Education Teaching | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1001 |
| History Teacher Education | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1328 |
| Gifted and Talented Education | 10 |
|
Master's
|
13.1004 |
| English Language Arts Teacher Education | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1305 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1314 |
| Special Education Teaching | 2 |
|
Master's
|
13.1099 |
| Business and Innovation Entrepreneurship Teacher Education | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1303 |
| Mathematics Teacher Education | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1311 |
| Music Teacher Education | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1312 |
Business (6 programs, 174 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 51 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0201 |
| Organizational Leadership | 47 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0213 |
| Accounting | 24 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0301 |
| Banking and Financial Services | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0803 |
| Marketing Management | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1401 |
| Business Administration | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0101 |
Psychology (2 programs, 75 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counseling Psychology | 39 |
|
Master's
|
42.2803 |
| General Psychology | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
Agriculture (2 programs, 17 graduates)
Agricultural Sciences, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agribusiness Operations | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
01.0102 |
| Animal Sciences | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
01.0901 |
Kinesiology (2 programs, 14 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0505 |
| Sport and Fitness Management | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0504 |
Biological Sciences (2 programs, 10 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
| Biomedical Sciences | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0102 |
Security & Safety (1 programs, 10 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Safety Studies | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
43.0104 |
Communication (2 programs, 9 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Media and Multimedia | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0702 |
| Communication Management and Strategic Communication | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0909 |
Public Services (1 programs, 8 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
44.0701 |
Computer & IT (3 programs, 7 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Technology | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0103 |
| Artificial Intelligence | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0102 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, Other | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0199 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Buena Vista University (BVU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Buena Vista University (BVU)
How much does it cost to attend Buena Vista University (BVU)?
The annual tuition at Buena Vista University (BVU) is $40,190 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $54,779 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $10,896 (on) / $8,913 (off) and books and supplies $1,132.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Buena Vista University offer?
Buena Vista University (BVU) offers 57 academic programs across 21 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Master's.
Most popular program areas include:
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (17 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (6 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (2 programs)
- Agricultural Sciences, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine (2 programs)
- Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation (2 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Buena Vista University?
Buena Vista University (BVU) has an 71.8% acceptance rate and a 19.6% yield rate, making it selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 1,544
- Students admitted: 1,108
- Students enrolled: 217
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Buena Vista University?
Buena Vista University (BVU) provides financial aid to 16% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $34,333 and average loans of $7,714.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,772
- State/Local grants: $7,295
- Institutional grants: $28,657
- Federal loans: $5,274
The university supports 234 students with grants and 161 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Buena Vista University graduates?
Buena Vista University (BVU) graduates earn a median salary of $43,572 after 6 years and $49,156 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $33,767 (25th percentile) to $64,964 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $65,900 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
Related Universities
Found something useful? Help others discover it too! Share with friends, on social media, or save for later - every share helps someone find the information they need.