Buena Vista University

Buena Vista University

Plains Region
Small Town Campus Setting
Small Size
1,436 Undergrad Enrollment
13:1 Student:Faculty
Master’s Highest Degree
Accepts Tuition Rewards SAGE Prime
610 W 4th St - Storm Lake, IA 50588
Buena Vista University participates in SAGE Prime.

From Buena Vista University

Located on the shores of beautiful Storm Lake, Buena Vista University prepares students for lifelong success by blending liberal arts with real-world applications. The traditional campus hosts students in a variety of 45+ majors and pre-professional programs, including business and accounting, education, and biological and chemical sciences.

BVU is known for quality education programs and is the only school in Iowa with a major in special education. Recent science graduates are continuing their education in medical and chiropractic school, atmospherics, genetics, and more; and, the school of business alone has more than 400 internship options available to students.

With a student to faculty ratio of 9:1 and an average class size of 14, BVU students receive attention from experienced faculty who ensure success - inside and outside of the classroom. In fact, 98 percent of 2018 graduates were employed or attending graduate school within six months of graduation.

In addition to class, BVU students benefit from the American Rivers Conference athletics and 60+ student-led clubs and organizations. BVU's motto is Education for Service; during the 2017-18 school year, BVU students, faculty, and staff volunteered approximately 56,000 service hours for the city, schools, churches, local organizations, and other locations.

BVU is also among the most financially stable private colleges in Iowa. Each year, BVU provides approximately $14 million in student financial assistance out of its operating budget. With an average scholarship of more than 50 percent off of tuition, BVU is an affordable option for all.

Neighborhood

Storm Lake's downtown offers students convenient access to local shops, restaurants, and entertainment within walking distance of campus, creating an intimate college town atmosphere. The lakefront location provides outdoor recreation opportunities and a scenic backdrop for student life. With a close-knit community feel and affordable cost of living, the area allows students to build meaningful connections while enjoying a peaceful, focused environment for their studies.
0
Car-Dependent
Walk Score
0
Minimal Transit
Transit Score
40
Some Bike Lanes
Bike Score
½ mile
1 mile
2 miles
Food & Drink
Restaurants & Bars
Daily Needs
Grocery & Services
Shopping & Entertainment
Shopping & Entertainment
Health & Wellness
Gyms, Parks & Hospitals
Transit Access
Rail (subway, train, light rail)
Bus stops & stations
Median rent nearby: ~$894/mo

Admissions & Enrollment

2026-27 Application Deadlines Deadline  
Rolling Admission Open Applications are reviewed as they arrive
Application deadlines are based on information from the college website or publicly available sources. Deadlines can change, so be sure to verify all deadlines with the college before applying.
  REQ Required REC Recommended CON Considered NR Not Required
Highschool GPA
Highschool Rank
Highschool Record
College Preparatory Program
Recommendations
Admission test scores
Personal essay
· REQ = Required
· REC = Recommended
· CON = Considered
· NR = Not Required
Standardized Tests % Submitted Score Range  
SAT 1 930 - 1130  
ACT 33 19 - 26  
Freshmen Class Total Men Women Another
Number of applicants 1,389 46 % 48 % -
Number admitted 1,078 47 % 48 % 5 %
Number enrolled 223 48 % 47 % -
Does not fall into either of the mutually exclusive binary categories provided

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Majors & Degrees

Bachelor’s
Master’s
Top 10 in enrollment
Top 5 in enrollment
Top 10 based on enrollment
Top 5 based on enrollment
Area of Study Major Bachelor Master
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations —
Agriculture —
Pre-Veterinary Studies —
Animal Sciences —
Soil Science and Agronomy —
Biological and Biomedical Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences —
Biology/Biological Sciences —
Biomedical Sciences —
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services Accounting —
Business Administration and Management —
Organizational Leadership
Business/Commerce —
Business/Managerial Economics —
Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies —
Banking and Financial Support Services —
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration —
Marketing/Marketing Management —
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs Speech Communication and Rhetoric —
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs —
Communication Management and Strategic Communications —
Public Relations/Image Management —
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia —
Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects —
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services Artificial Intelligence —
Computer and Information Sciences, Other —
Information Technology —
Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst —
Education Curriculum and Instruction —
Education
Education —
Educational/Instructional Technology —
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Elementary Special Education Programs —
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Emotional Disturbances —
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities —
Education/Teaching of the Gifted and Talented —
Special Education and Teaching —
Special Education and Teaching —
Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services —
Elementary Education and Teaching —
Secondary Education and Teaching
Agricultural Teacher Education —
Art Teacher Education —
Biology Teacher Education —
Business and Innovation/Entrepreneurship Teacher Education —
Chemistry Teacher Education —
English/Language Arts Teacher Education —
History Teacher Education —
Mathematics Teacher Education —
Music Teacher Education —
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching —
Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education —
Social Science Teacher Education —
Social Studies Teacher Education —
Spanish Language Teacher Education —
Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor —
English Language and Literature/Letters English Language and Literature —
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Spanish Language and Literature —
Health Professions and Related Programs Athletic Training/Trainer —
Pre-Art Therapy —
Pre-Physical Therapy Studies —
Medical Illustration/Medical Illustrator —
Art Therapy/Therapist —
History History —
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services Criminal Justice/Safety Studies —
Forensic Science and Technology —
Legal Professions and Studies Pre-Law Studies —
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities General Studies —
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities —
Mathematics and Statistics Mathematics —
Mathematics —
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies —
Natural Resources and Conservation Environmental Science —
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology Exercise Science and Kinesiology —
Sport and Fitness Administration/Management —
Physical Sciences Chemistry —
Physics —
Psychology Counseling Psychology —
Psychology —
Public Administration and Social Service Professions Human Services —
Public Administration —
Social Work —
Social Sciences Criminology —
Political Science and Government —
Political Science and Government —
Visual and Performing Arts Fine and Studio Arts Management —
Music Management —
Commercial and Advertising Art —
Graphic Design —
Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft —
Art/Art Studies —
Fine/Studio Arts —
Music Performance —
Music Technology —

SAGE Prime College

Buena Vista University participates in SAGE Prime! Through SAGE Prime, you will be able to claim discounts of at least 10% off of the costs for non-traditional education programs, for yourself, offered by select member colleges and universities! This special benefit is available exclusivity to account holders in the SAGE Scholars Tuition Rewards program.

SAGE Prime not available for Masters of Education program (online or on campus).
Have questions about the Prime program? Contact

Athletics

NCAA Division III with football
Sport Men Women
All Track Combined
Baseball
Basketball
Football
Golf
Other Sports
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Volleyball
Wrestling

Campus Images

Mission Statement

We prepare students for lifelong success through transformational academic, professional and co-curricular programs.