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Colleges / Buena Vista University

Buena Vista University

Storm Lake, IA 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate66%
Acceptance Rate66%

Buena Vista University Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Buena Vista University was $38,644 a year.

In 2022, tuition increased 3%–from $37,518 the previous year. Usually, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

Remember, the advertized cost of tuition does not always mean much if you plan to use financial aid to help pay for college. Many students pay a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Plus, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college more manageable until after graduation.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Buena Vista University

Buena Vista University is a private, religious institution, so it has the same tuition for students from Iowa as it does for students who live in other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Attending a college where you qualify for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan drastically reduce the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Take the time to check your state's criteria for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Iowa colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Buena Vista University?

Tuition at Buena Vista University is the same for all students.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or Buena Vista University-specific aid and scholarships.

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.


Buena Vista University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More


In addition to the cost of tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Buena Vista University.

Room and Board Costs at Buena Vista University

Housing and campus dining at Buena Vista University costs $10,680 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that enables you to eat in the Buena Vista University's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Board costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Buena Vista University

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges offer resources so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these fees.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Buena Vista University

The total cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your transportation budget. At Buena Vista University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can impact your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in an urban area is often costly, but cities may offer more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Buena Vista University campus is in a small town setting in Iowa.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, be sure to factor in the cost of things like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.


Financial Breakdown for Buena Vista University


Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better idea of what is really costs to go to Buena Vista University.

How Much Does Buena Vista University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Buena Vista University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition $38,644
Room and Board $10,680
Other expenses $2,385

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus $52,835
Off-Campus $55,194

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

Buena Vista University’s tuition and fees change based on: •Campus location for full-time and part-time students


Buena Vista University Financial Aid


The majority of Buena Vista University undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2022, 650 of the 777 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Buena Vista University meets 82% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $33,794 a year. Around 95% of Buena Vista University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Buena Vista University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $37,671 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $27,189
Buena Vista University-Specific Loans $2,006
Private Loans $30,613
Most Common Loans for Buena Vista University Students
Federal Loans 95%
Institutional Loans 13%
Private loans 32%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Buena Vista University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Buena Vista University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, Buena Vista University awarded 650 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $18.6 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $3.42 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Buena Vista University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Buena Vista University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Buena Vista University was $33,794 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Buena Vista University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus $19,041
Off-Campus $21,400

What will attending Buena Vista University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Buena Vista University's net cost calculator on their website.

Buena Vista University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Buena Vista University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Buena Vista University has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.


Learn More About Buena Vista University


Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about Buena Vista University

Buena Vista University Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$50,450

In State

$50,450

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$38,644
$38,644
Fees
Unknown
Unknown
Housing
$10,680
$10,680
Books
$1,126
$1,126

Buena Vista University Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

87%

Average Financial Aid Package

$32,275

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

1,230

Campus Setting

Small Town

Acceptance Rate

66%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$38,644

Out-of-State

$38,644

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Continuous processing
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