Buena Vista University (BVU) is serving 1,798 students across its Storm Lake, online undergraduate, and graduate programs this fall, while welcoming its second-largest freshman class in recent history to the Storm Lake campus.

The new academic year also brings national recognition for BVU’s value and student outcomes. BVU was named to Money’s Best Colleges 2026, which evaluates more than 700 four-year colleges nationwide based on educational quality, affordability, and student outcomes.

U.S. News & World Report also once again recognized BVU among the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest and Best Value Schools in the Midwest, as well as a Top Performer on Social Mobility. BVU continues to be the highest-ranked private university in Iowa for social mobility.

“Recognition like this is meaningful because it reflects the value we work to provide every student who chooses BVU,” said Buena Vista University President Brian A. Lenzmeier, Ph.D. “Our students receive personal support, build meaningful connections, and gain experiences that prepare them for what comes next. Ultimately, their success is how we measure our own.”

The University’s national recognition also reflects its commitment to making a high-quality education accessible and preparing students for meaningful outcomes after graduation. Money considers measures including graduation rates, affordability, student debt, loan repayment, and alumni earnings and employment, while U.S. News’ social mobility ranking recognizes success in enrolling and graduating students who receive federal Pell Grants.

BVU graduates also make a significant impact across Iowa. Seventy-six percent of Storm Lake graduates remain in the state following graduation, along with 82 percent of graduates from BVU’s online and graduate programs.

Across education, healthcare, business, science, social services, and other fields, BVU graduates are putting their education to work in communities throughout Iowa and beyond.

BVU continues to invest in academic programs, hands-on learning, student support, and flexible educational pathways through its ten-year strategic vision, Building Beyond Expectations, focused on outcomes, community, and connections.