Buena Vista University's published cost of attendance is $54,222. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $12,901, middle-income families pay around $18,094, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,967.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $54,222 |
| Tuition and Fees | $41,798 |
| Room and Board | $11,330 |
| Books and Supplies | $2,089 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$35,376 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $18,846 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $12,901 |
| $30–48k | $14,838 |
| $48–75k | $18,094 |
| $75–110k | $19,571 |
| $110k+ | $24,967 |
Buena Vista University's published cost of attendance is $54,222. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $12,901, middle-income families pay around $18,094, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,967. Azimuth ranks Buena Vista University #585 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Buena Vista University participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside institutional aid. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $12,074; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at Buena Vista University's median four-year earnings of $50,318, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Buena Vista University earn median 4-year earnings of $50,318, placing Buena Vista University in the 10.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,440 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Buena Vista University in the 38.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Buena Vista University #1081 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern centers on Business and related professional fields. Teacher Education is the largest program with 85 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $45,573, performing at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. Human Services, General and Business Administration follow as substantial cohorts, with Business Administration graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $58,440 at 0.9x the benchmark. Psychology, General graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $44,755, and Accounting rounds out the top five with median 4-year earnings of $63,454 at 0.8x the benchmark. This concentration in career-focused fields supports consistent early-career earnings and positions graduates for stable long-term financial outcomes.
