Admissions
Getting in, fall 2024
Buena Vista admits about 8 in 10 applicants (78%). That puts it in the "Accessible" tier, more selective than 49% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (80% and 78%).
No application fee
Grants credit for AP exams
Yield
21% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
Where you stand
How Buena Vista reads a record
GPA is required; the high school record, class rank, and a college-prep program are considered. Scores are optional. 1% of first-years sent an SAT and 33% an ACT. Most first-years were admitted without scores.
What they look at
- High school GPA
- Required
- High school record
- Considered
- Class rank
- Considered
- College-prep program
- Considered
- Recommendations
- Considered
- Essay
- Considered
- Legacy status
- Not considered
- Work experience
- Not considered
- Demonstration of competencies
- Not considered
- English proficiency test
- Considered
- Other tests
- Not considered
On the admissions map
The map plots acceptance rate against SAT scores. Buena Vista University doesn't report both, so it isn't shown.
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students who entered in fall 2024.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
submitted ACT
Read with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)