College · Catholic life on campus
Buena Vista University
- LocationStorm Lake, IA
- Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 1,951 students
Affiliation: Presbyterian Church (USA)
Buena Vista University is not a Catholic college. This rating measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes.
Catholic life here hasn’t been researched yet. We research from official sources only, starting with the largest campuses, and we never guess.
Know the official campus ministry or Mass schedule page? Send us the link.
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Academic Excellence
Each measure counts for the share shown.
- Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.62%
- First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.76%
- Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,120 · ACT 22.5
- Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.13 to 1
- Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$7,966
Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.
Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))
Cost and value
Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.
| Undergraduate students Fall enrollment (IPEDS) | 1,442 |
|---|---|
| Total students | 1,951 |
| Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid | $18,846 |
| Cost of attendance (per year) | $54,222 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $25,000 |
| Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time | 62% |
| First-year retention | 76% |
| Median earnings 10 years after entry | $49,156 |
| Admission rate | 78% |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 44% |
| Average SAT | 1120 |
|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | — |
| SAT math | — |
| ACT composite | 19–26 |
| Test policy | Considered but not required |
Value index: 51 / 100 (how it’s computed)
Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.
Local Church
The Most Reverend John E. Keehner Jr., Bishop of Sioux City
Formal address: “Your Excellency”
Source: usccb.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.
Diocese determined from the county using NCES Catholic school records. Confirm with the diocese.
About this school’s data
- IPEDS unit ID 153001
- Carnegie classification: Master's university (medium programs)
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
- Religious affiliation (IPEDS): Presbyterian Church (USA)
- Report an error or a newer source
- Respond as this school
Questions families ask
- Is Buena Vista University a Catholic college?
- No. Buena Vista University is not a Catholic college. Its listed religious affiliation is Presbyterian Church (USA). Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead.
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