Buena Vista University campus on Storm Lake

Storm Lake, Iowa

A 60-acre campus on the shore of a 3,097-acre lake.

Campus & Facilities

Buena Vista University sits on a sixty-acre campus along the shores of Storm Lake in northwest Iowa — a tight-knit, modern environment that blends historic landmarks with state-of-the-art academic, residential, and athletic facilities.

60acres of lakeside campus along the shores of Storm Lake
3,097acres of Storm Lake — Iowa's fourth-largest natural lake
77 residence options Ranging from traditional residence halls and suites to apartments
70Ksq ft Estelle Siebens Science Center with 18 laboratories, research spaces, and a greenhouse
7.5Ksq. ft. Athletic Performance Facility built for training, fitness, and performance
Aerial shot of campus on the lake

The Setting

Your home on the lake

BVU isn't just a place to learn. It's a place to call home. Our 60-acre college campus sits along the shores of Storm Lake, Iowa, bringing academics, student life, recreation, and lakeside living together in one close-knit community.

Students live just steps from classes, dining, activities, and the lake, with campus spaces designed to make it easy to learn, connect, and make the most of college life.

  • Outdoor Recreation House with free kayak, canoe, paddleboat, camping, and fishing gear checkout
  • Lighthouse and Victory Arch, two distinctive BVU campus landmarks
  • Walkable, accessible campus with covered and underground connections between select buildings

Buildings Directory

Every corner of campus.

Thirty-plus buildings grouped by how you'll use them. Click any building for hours, accessibility info, and the people inside.

Academic Classrooms, labs, studios

04 Dixon-Eilers Hall Business Office, Registrar, classrooms, and faculty offices
08 Edson Hall Music — practice rooms, choral rehearsal space, piano/keyboard lab
19 Estelle Siebens Science Center 70,000 sq ft science complex with 18 labs, research spaces, and greenhouse
05 Harold Walter Siebens School of Business / Siebens Forum Business classrooms, faculty offices, conference spaces, dining, and student services
06 Information Technology Center Library, Center for Academic Excellence, technology support, and learning resources
20 Lage Communication Center Radio, TV, media, and production facilities
18 Social Sciences & Art Hall BVU Art Gallery, studios, classrooms, and social sciences
27 Center for Sculpture & Ceramics Ceramics, woodworking, foundry, metalworking, and 3D art facilities
12 Swope Hall Center for Criminal Justice Studies and Jane's Closet

Residential Where students live

09 Pierce Hall Traditional residence hall connected to White Hall and Siebens Forum
10 White Hall Traditional residence hall with lounges, kitchenette, study spaces, and laundry
13 Grand Hall Traditional co-ed residence hall with two-person rooms, lounges, and shared amenities
14 Liberty Hall Co-ed residence hall with two-person rooms, study and recreation lounges, kitchenette, and laundry
15 Constitution Hall Co-ed suite-style residence hall
16 Briscoe Honor Hall Co-ed suite-style residence hall
17 The Apartments Apartment-style campus housing

Athletic Competition & recreation

21 Lamberti Recreation Center Multipurpose courts, indoor track, recreation, and Dvergsten Fitness Center
22 Siebens Fieldhouse 3,000-seat arena, athletics facilities, training spaces, and fitness resources, 7,500 sq ft training and fitness facility
23 Buntrock Tennis Courts Four lighted outdoor tennis courts
24 J. Leslie Rollins Stadium 3,500-seat stadium at Peterson Field
25 Peterson Field Turf field and eight-lane outdoor track
— Buena Vista Sports Complex Soccer fields and football practice fields north of main campus
— Baseball/Softball Fields Baseball and softball competition facilities on Tornado Drive

Campus Life & Landmarks Gathering spaces, art, worship

01 Ballou Building Campus facility near the southeast entrance
03 Schaller Memorial Chapel Performance space for convocations, lectures, worship, and special events
5 Lehnus Campus Spirit Store Official BVU apparel and merchandise inside Siebens Forum (within Siebens Forum)
5 The Underground Student gathering and event space (within Siebens Forum)
5 Stewart D. Siebens Technology Center Technology services, equipment, and student resources within (within Siebens Forum)
07 Victory Arch Historic campus landmark reconstructed from Old Main
11 South Forum Lawn Patio Outdoor gathering space adjacent to Siebens Forum
26 Victory Bell Campus landmark
— Lighthouse 30-foot brick lighthouse along the Storm Lake shoreline
— Phillips Meditation Chapel Meditation and worship space below Schaller Memorial Chapel
BVU Campus Map

Plan a visit

See it for yourself — the lake, the arch, the labs.

The best way to understand campus is to walk it. Schedule an on-campus visit and a current student will show you everything, or take a virtual tour from wherever you are today.

Visit Campus Take a virtual tour