Bowie State University vs. Black Hills State University

Should I go to Bowie State University or Black Hills State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bowie State University or Black Hills State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Bowie State University vs. Black Hills State University comparison
Bowie State University Black Hills State University College 3 College 4
Bowie State University Black Hills State University
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Overview

Bowie State University Black Hills State University
Location Bowie, MD Spearfish, SD
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 6,275 3,425
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #962 #1006
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bowiestate.edu bhsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bowie State University Black Hills State University
Tuition (In State) $5,811 $7,700
Tuition (Out of State) $16,533 $10,800
Room & Board $12,468 $7,528
Avg Net Price $13,886 $16,782
Avg Grant Aid $9,463 $4,986
% Receiving Grant Aid 76% 100%

Admission

Bowie State University Black Hills State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,445 1,579
Admitted 4,712 1,526
Acceptance Rate 86.5% 96.6%
Enrolled % 25.2% 31.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.12 3.22
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 800/1048 970/1085
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 15, 2025

Academics

Bowie State University Black Hills State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Communications Technology (10%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

Bowie State University Black Hills State University
Graduation Rate 41% 28%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,500 $38,800
Making Student Loan Payments 29% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,391 $25,478
Median Loan Payment $252 $263

Diversity

Bowie State University Black Hills State University
% Men 37% 37%
% Women 63% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 3% 83%
% Black 86% 2%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 0% 4%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Bowie State University Black Hills State University
% In-State 78% 57%
% Out-of-State 19% 42%

Campus

Bowie State University Black Hills State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Bowie State University is larger than than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (6,275 students vs. 3,425 students)

Bowie State University vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowie State University or Black Hills State University?

  • Black Hills State University is 32.5% more expensive to attend than Bowie State University for in-state tuition ($7,700.00 vs. $5,811.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 53.1% higher at Bowie State University than Black Hills State University ($16,533.00 vs. $10,800.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bowie State University than Black Hills State University ($13,886 vs. $16,782)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 65.6% lower than costs at Bowie State University ($7,528 vs. $12,468)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Black Hills State University than Bowie State University (100% vs. 76%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowie State University students is 89.8% larger than aid received Black Hills State University ($9,463 vs. $4,986)

Bowie State University vs. Black Hills State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bowie State University or Black Hills State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Black Hills State University or Bowie State University .

  • The average SAT score at Black Hills State University (988) is 105 points higher than at Bowie State University (883)
  • Incoming Black Hills State University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Bowie State University (18)
  • Accepted freshman Black Hills State University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at Bowie State University (3.12)
  • Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.6%) than Bowie State University (86.5%)

Bowie State University vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bowie State University or Black Hills State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Black Hills State University and Bowie State University.

  • The graduation rate at Bowie State University is higher than Black Hills State University (41% vs. 28%)
  • Graduates from Bowie State University earn on average $11,700 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates after ten years. ($50,500 vs. $38,800)
  • Bowie State University students graduate with a $1,087 lower median federal student loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates. ($24,391 vs. $25,478)
  • Bowie State University graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Black Hills State University graduates. ($252 vs. $263)
  • More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 29%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/