Photo: Scott A. Miller · CC BY-SA 3.0Storm Lake is home to Buena Vista University
Buena Vista University (800 students on campus) is inside the city. About 7% of Storm Lake’s residents are enrolled in college, above Iowa (6%).
From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Storm Lake. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college in Storm Lake
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Storm Lake
One private college within 0.6 miles. The nearest public four-year college, Iowa State University, is 89.8 miles away.
Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $48–75k, where Storm Lake’s median household income ($62,765) falls.
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.
Do students finish, and does it pay?
Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.
Questions about college in Storm Lake
Is Storm Lake a college town?
No. About 7 of every 100 Storm Lake residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Iowa (6). The largest campus in the city, Buena Vista University, has 800 students on campus.
What colleges are in Storm Lake?
Buena Vista University is inside the city. Northwest Iowa Community College is 51 miles away in Sheldon.
What is the closest community college to Storm Lake, and what does it cost?
Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon, 51 miles away. Tuition and fees are $7,350 a year for Iowa residents; the federal net price, $14,800, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Iowa State University cost if we live in Iowa?
Tuition and fees are $10,787 a year in-state and $28,881 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $10,582 (under $30,000 income) to $22,496 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Storm Lake. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →