Buena Vista University Adds $135K in New Tuition Revenue with Mongoose Chat

Overview

Buena Vista University (BVU), a private four-year institution in Storm Lake, Iowa, wanted to improve its website experience for prospective students—especially when it came to answering common admissions questions. With staff time stretched thin and a live chat tool that wasn’t pulling its weight, the admissions team needed a smarter, more scalable solution.

Enter Mongoose Chat.

Already a Mongoose Text user, BVU adopted Mongoose Chat to streamline online engagement and free up admissions staff for more meaningful interactions. The result? 234 new student inquiries, 20 additional enrollments, and $135,588 in net new tuition revenue.

The Challenge: Missed Opportunities and Repetitive Tasks

BVU’s website wasn’t working as hard as it could. The existing live chat feature was underutilized—buried on the site and ineffective at helping students find key admissions information. Staff were overwhelmed fielding the same repetitive questions, leaving little time for deeper conversations that build relationships and convert prospects.

The Solution: Smart, Always-On Support with Mongoose Chat

When Mongoose introduced its chatbot solution for higher ed, BVU was eager to expand their partnership. With just a snippet of code, the team embedded Mongoose Chat on admissions pages. Mongoose’s implementation team configured answers for the most common questions BVU staff received, ensuring instant support 24/7.

When a student inquiry required human support, the system looped in a counselor—creating a seamless handoff between automation and personal connection.

The Results: Higher Engagement and Real Enrollment Impact

• 234 New Student Inquiries
• 20 Additional Enrollments
• $135,588 in Net Tuition Revenue

Mongoose Chat proved to be more than just a time-saver—it became a powerful enrollment driver.

With top questions handled automatically, admissions staff could focus on what they do best: building relationships and guiding students through the decision-making process.

Pro Tip: Curious about how to have conversations that drive enrollment, improve retention, and grow giving? Learn more in The State of Higher Ed Messaging Benchmark Report for 4-Year Institutions.

The Mongoose Difference

• Automation that Works: Routine questions answered instantly—no staff required.
• Easy Implementation: A simple code snippet brought the chatbot to life.
• Seamless Human Handoff: Staff are looped in when needed, ensuring every student gets the right level of support.
• Real ROI: From first click to first class, Mongoose Chat contributed directly to tuition revenue growth.

Conclusion

Buena Vista University didn’t just add a chatbot, they added a strategic tool that turned passive website traffic into real conversations and real enrollment growth. With Mongoose Chat, BVU delivers the quick answers students expect and the human touch they value—without overburdening staff.

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Buena Vista University added $135K in new tuition revenue with Mongoose Chat.

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