More selective than 57% of Iowa colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
1% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 38% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Buena Vista University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
Buena Vista University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Buena Vista University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| ACT composite | 19 | 26 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Buena Vista University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 78% | — | — | 19–26 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 72% | — | — | 18–25 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Buena Vista University compared with other Iowa colleges?
Buena Vista University has the 13th-lowest acceptance rate of 29 Iowa colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Luther College | 72% | 71% | $23,097 |
| 10 | Clarke University | 72% | 56% | $24,479 |
| 11 | Wartburg College | 76% | 64% | $32,908 |
| 12 | Saint Ambrose University | 77% | 61% | $24,691 |
| 13 | Buena Vista University | 78% | 62% | $18,846 |
| 14 | Cornell College | 80% | 62% | $23,634 |
| 15 | St Luke's College | 80% | 100% | $19,820 |
| 16 | Northwestern College | 80% | 66% | $25,907 |
| 17 | Graceland University-Lamoni | 81% | 42% | $18,504 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Iowa colleges →
Who enrolls at Buena Vista University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Buena Vista University admissions questions
What is the Buena Vista University acceptance rate?
Buena Vista University accepts 78% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 1,108 of 1,544 applicants were admitted.
Does Buena Vista University require the SAT or ACT?
Buena Vista University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 1% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 38% submitted ACT scores.
How many admitted students enroll at Buena Vista University?
20% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (217 of 1,108).
Is Buena Vista University getting harder to get into?
Buena Vista University accepted 78% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 72% for Fall 2023.
Is Buena Vista University the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Buena Vista University overview