Black Hills State University vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Dakota is larger than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (10,619 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 South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Black Hills State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Black Hills State University 17:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

Black Hills State University vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Black Hills State University or USD? 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 USD ($15,576 vs. $19,133).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 14.8% lower than at Black Hills State University ($10,356 vs. $12,160).
• University of South Dakota is 7.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Black Hills State University (about $668 more per year; $9,432.00 vs. $8,764.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.1% higher at USD than at Black Hills State University (about $1,076 more per year; $12,942.00 vs. $11,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Dakota than at Black Hills State University (83% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Black Hills State University students is 7.9% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($6,070 vs. $5,623).

Black Hills State University vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Black Hills State University or USD? 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 USD and Black Hills State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 170 points higher than at Black Hills State University (1050).
• Incoming USD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Black Hills State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Black Hills State University 965/1135; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Black Hills State University 18/24; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Black Hills State University - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Black Hills State University (96.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Black Hills State University vs. 24.1% at USD.

Black Hills State University vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Black Hills State University and USD? 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).

• University of South Dakota's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Black Hills State University's (28%).
• Graduates from University of South Dakota earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Dakota graduates have a $478 lower median loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,478).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Black Hills State University graduates ($258 vs. $263).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Black Hills State University students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.