Black Hills State University vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern State University is larger than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (3,708 students vs. 3,346 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Black Hills State University is located in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Black Hills State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Black Hills State University 17:1; Northern State University 19:1.

Black Hills State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Black Hills State University or NSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Black Hills State University than NSU ($15,576 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 12.8% lower than at Black Hills State University ($10,600 vs. $12,160).
• Northern State University is 0.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Black Hills State University (about $81 more per year; $8,845.00 vs. $8,764.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at NSU than at Black Hills State University (about $81 more per year; $11,947.00 vs. $11,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at Black Hills State University (97% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern State University students is 6.1% larger than aid received by Black Hills State University students ($6,441 vs. $6,070).

Black Hills State University vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Black Hills State University or NSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NSU and Black Hills State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is 20 points higher than at Black Hills State University (1050).
• Incoming Black Hills State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at NSU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Black Hills State University 965/1135; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Black Hills State University 18/24; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Black Hills State University - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22).
• Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than NSU (93%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Black Hills State University vs. 35.2% at NSU.

Black Hills State University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Black Hills State University and NSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Northern State University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Black Hills State University's (28%).
• Graduates from Black Hills State University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,800 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern State University graduates have a $1,079 lower median loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates ($24,399 vs. $25,478).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Black Hills State University graduates ($252 vs. $263).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Black Hills State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.