Buena Vista University

In 2022, Buena Vista University's tuition was $40,190 a year.

Tuition increased 4% in 2023–from $38,644 the previous year. On average, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams feel scary, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students pay much less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Plus, student loans can make thecost of college feel more doable until after graduation.

Buena Vista University meets 86% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Buena Vista University full-time are awarded $33,262 a year in financial aid, on average.

Graduates in the class of 2023 had an average of $33,540 in student loans per borrower.

Buena Vista University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Buena Vista University is a private, religious institution, so it has the same tuition for residents of Iowa as it does for residents from other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer reduced tuition for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a school where you qualify for in-state tuition can save students a lot of money on the total cost of attending college. Take the time to verify your state's requirements for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be other criteria as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Iowa colleges

Tuition for International Students at Buena Vista University

Tuition at Buena Vista University is the same for every student.

International students usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific aid and scholarships.

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

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Buena Vista University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; 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

Room and board at Buena Vista University costs $10,896 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that allows you to eat in the Buena Vista University's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls.

Meal-plan costs can depend on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at Buena Vista University?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

Most schools also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools have resources for students with financial need to get help covering these costs.

The Cost of Transportation 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 easy to get around on foot? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area may be pricey, but there may be more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Buena Vista University campus is in a town in Iowa.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, don’t forget to leave some room in your budget for the cost of things like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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The Full Cost of Attending Buena Vista University

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better estimate 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.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$40,190
Room and Board	$10,896
Other expenses	$2,762

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

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$53,848
Off-Campus	$55,618

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

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Financial Aid at Buena Vista University

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The majority of Buena Vista University undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2023, 639 of the 791 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Buena Vista University meets 86% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $33,262 a year. Around 84% 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 $33,540 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$23,813
Buena Vista University-Specific Loans	$1,752
Private Loans	$32,307

Most Common Loans for Buena Vista University Students
Federal Loans	84%
Institutional Loans	22%
Private loans	24%

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 2023, Buena Vista University awarded 638 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $18.7 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $4.15 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 $33,262 in 2023. 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	$20,586
Off-Campus	$22,356

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 understand 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.

Buena Vista University does not have guaranteed tuition.

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 colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

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.

Buena Vista University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of Buena Vista University's endowment was $151 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. For each full-time student, Buena Vista University spends about $7,075 a year.

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Learn More About Buena Vista University

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