| Location: | Midwest |
| Setting: | Small Town Setting |
| Type: | Private |
| Affiliation: | Presbyterian Church (USA) |
| Size: | Medium (2,000 to 5,000 Undergrad) |
| Mascot: | Beavers |
Buena Vista University is an independent, regionally acclaimed, comprehensive teaching institution dedicated to education for service. Buena Vista aspires to become the nation's leading New American College while retaining its Presbyterian heritage. The University prepares students for leadership and service in an information-driven, global society. The traditional disciplines provide a framework for a curriculum which prepares students for the professions and life-long learning.
Buena Vista University is a private 4-year college located in Storm Lake, Iowa. Founded in 1891 as Buena Vista College, it is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. The university's 60-acre campus is situated on the shores of Storm Lake, a 3,200-acre natural lake. BVU's academic programs feature a balance between traditional liberal arts courses and hands-on learning opportunities, such as travel and internships. The university awards its faculty with the $30,000 George Wythe Award for Teaching Excellence, one of the largest faculty awards in the nation. The average student-to-professor ratio is 13:1.
At its inception, the college was housed in the Storm Lake Opera House, where it remained for only a year. Old Main, the college's first building, opened in 1892, and was occupied by faculty and students until it burned down in 1956. Major construction projects in the 1950s and 1960s extended the college, which soon included three dormitories, a library, and a number of classroom buildings.
The college gained accreditation in 1952, and began to grant degrees under the authority of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The first graduate degrees were offered in 1995, at which time the college became Buena Vista University.
The main campus of Buena Vista University serves approximately 1,200 students each academic year, and currently offers classes in 42 majors. 14 additional Centers located throughout Iowa serve about 1,400 students. The university was ranked in the top 20 Midwestern Comprehensive Colleges, as reported by U.S.News and World Report's college rankings. In 2007, BVU was ranked 12th for academic quality in the Midwestern Baccalaureate category.
Founders’ Day: This day marks the official beginning of the academic year at BVU. A memorial service during the morning is an opportunity for the University community to pay tribute to BVU's founders and to honor members of the BVU family who have passed away during the preceding year. A convocation in the afternoon welcomes new students and their families to BVU.
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| Percent of Students International: | 0% |
| On-Campus Housing Available: | Yes |
| Percent of Students Living On-Campus: | 47% |
| Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: | Yes |
| Member of: | NAA, NCAA |
| Sports Include: |
Football (Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conf) Basketball (Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conf) Baseball (Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conf) Track (Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conf) |
| Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) | Expenses | ||
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 21,688 | ||
| Financial Aid | Avg. Amount Received | % of Students Receiving Aid | |
Federal Grants: |
$ 3,371 | 39% | |
State and Local Grants: |
$ 3,405 | 56% | |
Institutional Grants: |
$ 10,914 | 99% | |
Student Loans: |
$ 3,566 | 90% | |
Any Aid: |
100% |
| Acceptance Rate: | 83% (Selective) |
| Test Scores | |
| ACT Scores: | |
| % of Students Submitting ACT Scores: | 99% |
| Bottom 25th Percentile: | Composite: 19, Verbal: 19, Math: 18 |
| Top 75th Percentile: | Composite: 25, Verbal: 24, Math: 25 |
| Formal Demonstration of Competencies: | Not Required |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent: | Recommended |
| High School GPA: | Required |
| High School Rank: | Required |
| High School Record: | Required |
| Recommendations: | Required |
| TOEFL: | Required |
| Test Scores: | Required |
