Buena Vista University ★ Hidden gem
Storm Lake, Iowa · Private, nonprofit · 1,366 undergraduates
Of 20 programs with reported earnings, 19 leave graduates out-earning a typical Iowa high-school graduate (about $37,130/yr) and 1 fall short. Another 42 programs did not have enough data to judge.
What families actually pay
| Family income | Net price per year |
|---|---|
| Under $30k | $12,901 |
| $30k to $48k | $14,838 |
| $48k to $75k | $18,094 |
| $75k to $110k | $19,571 |
| $110k and up | $24,967 |
| All families (average) | $18,846 |
Net price is the yearly cost after grants and scholarships, by family income (College Scorecard). Credit: TuitionTracker.
Program earnings vs a high-school graduate
| Program | Credential | Median earnings | vs HS grad | Verdict | Median debt | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Bachelor's Degree | $45,573 | +$8,443 | clears the bar | $28,000 | 3.3 yrs |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Bachelor's Degree | $58,440 | +$21,310 | clears the bar | $25,000 | 1.2 yrs |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | Master's Degree | $58,059 | +$20,929 | clears the bar | $31,671 | 1.5 yrs |
| Curriculum and Instruction | Master's Degree | $68,691 | +$31,561 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
| Accounting and Related Services | Bachelor's Degree | $63,454 | +$26,324 | clears the bar | $23,270 | 0.9 yrs |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's Degree | $44,755 | +$7,625 | clears the bar | $22,500 | 3 yrs |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Master's Degree | $61,710 | +$24,580 | clears the bar | $29,291 | 1.2 yrs |
| Business/Commerce, General | Bachelor's Degree | $48,810 | +$11,680 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | Bachelor's Degree | $63,950 | +$26,820 | clears the bar | $20,700 | 0.8 yrs |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | Bachelor's Degree | $48,048 | +$10,918 | clears the bar | $28,900 | 2.6 yrs |
| Marketing | Bachelor's Degree | $55,330 | +$18,200 | clears the bar | $20,931 | 1.2 yrs |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | Bachelor's Degree | $53,736 | +$16,606 | clears the bar | $20,750 | 1.2 yrs |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | Bachelor's Degree | $49,281 | +$12,151 | clears the bar | $27,000 | 2.2 yrs |
| Biology, General | Bachelor's Degree | $30,682 | -$6,448 | falls short | $26,918 | n/a |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | Master's Degree | $62,389 | +$25,259 | clears the bar | $60,404 | 2.4 yrs |
Showing the 15 largest programs by graduates. See all 20 on the full profile.
Access and outcomes: 44% of students receive Pell grants · 62% complete their program.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10). Earnings are median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing, compared to the state high-school-graduate earnings threshold. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Something look wrong? Report it.