Black Hills State University vs. University of Houston-Downtown

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston Downtown is larger than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (13,730 students vs. 3,346 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Black Hills State University is located in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting); University of Houston Downtown is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Black Hills State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Black Hills State University 17:1; University of Houston Downtown 18:1.

Black Hills State University vs. University of Houston-Downtown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Black Hills State University or University of Houston-Downtown? 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 University of Houston Downtown than Black Hills State University ($10,832 vs. $15,576).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Downtown are 16.3% lower than at Black Hills State University ($10,176 vs. $12,160).
• Black Hills State University is 13.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $1,056 more per year; $8,764.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.9% higher at University of Houston-Downtown than at Black Hills State University (about $5,682 more per year; $17,548.00 vs. $11,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Houston Downtown than at Black Hills State University (84% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Downtown students is 69% larger than aid received by Black Hills State University students ($10,257 vs. $6,070).

Black Hills State University vs. University of Houston-Downtown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Black Hills State University or University of Houston-Downtown? 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 University of Houston-Downtown and Black Hills State University.

• University of Houston Downtown reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Black Hills State University (1050) is 20 points higher than at University of Houston-Downtown (1030).
• Incoming Black Hills State University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at University of Houston-Downtown).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Black Hills State University 965/1135; University of Houston Downtown 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Black Hills State University 18/24; University of Houston Downtown 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Black Hills State University - Test optional; University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Houston-Downtown students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22).
• Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than University of Houston-Downtown (90%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Black Hills State University vs. 20% at University of Houston-Downtown.

Black Hills State University vs. University of Houston-Downtown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Black Hills State University and University of Houston-Downtown? 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).

• Black Hills State University's six-year graduation rate (28%) is higher than University of Houston Downtown's (15%).
• Graduates from University of Houston Downtown earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Downtown graduates have a $6,728 lower median loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates ($18,750 vs. $25,478).
• Among borrowers, University of Houston-Downtown graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Black Hills State University graduates ($193 vs. $263).
• More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Downtown students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 41%)

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.