Black Hills State University vs. Platt College-Aurora

Comparable Facts

Compare Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD with Platt College Aurora in Greenwood Village, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Black Hills State University is larger than Platt College-Aurora based on total student enrollment (3,346 students vs. 215 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Black Hills State University is located in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting); Platt College Aurora is in Greenwood Village, CO (Large City setting).
• Black Hills State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Platt College Aurora is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Black Hills State University 17:1; Platt College Aurora 10:1.

Black Hills State University vs. Platt College-Aurora Cost Comparison

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

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 39.4% lower than at Platt College Aurora ($12,160 vs. $20,079).
• Platt College Aurora is 177.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Black Hills State University (about $15,583 more per year; $24,347.00 vs. $8,764.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105.2% higher at Platt College-Aurora than at Black Hills State University (about $12,481 more per year; $24,347.00 vs. $11,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Black Hills State University than at Platt College Aurora (76% vs. 0%).

Black Hills State University vs. Platt College-Aurora Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Black Hills State University or Platt College-Aurora? 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 Platt College-Aurora and Black Hills State University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Black Hills State University 965/1135.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Black Hills State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Black Hills State University - Test optional; Platt College-Aurora - Not reported.

Black Hills State University vs. Platt College-Aurora Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Black Hills State University and Platt College-Aurora? 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).

• Platt College Aurora's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Black Hills State University's (28%).
• Graduates from Black Hills State University earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Platt College-Aurora graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,800 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Black Hills State University graduates have a $16,272 lower median loan debt than Platt College-Aurora graduates ($25,478 vs. $41,750).
• Among borrowers, Black Hills State University graduates have an estimated $168 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Platt College-Aurora graduates ($263 vs. $431).
• More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Platt College-Aurora students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 61%)

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.