CCU vs. Black Hills State University

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado Christian University is larger than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (9,951 students vs. 3,346 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Christian University is located in Lakewood, CO (Large Suburban setting); Black Hills State University is in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Colorado Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Black Hills State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Christian University 17:1; Black Hills State University 17:1.

CCU vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CCU or Black Hills State University? 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 CCU ($15,576 vs. $30,940).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 8.1% lower than at Colorado Christian University ($12,160 vs. $13,234).
• Colorado Christian University is 371.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Black Hills State University (about $32,578 more per year; $41,342.00 vs. $8,764.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 248.4% higher at CCU than at Black Hills State University (about $29,476 more per year; $41,342.00 vs. $11,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado Christian University than at Black Hills State University (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado Christian University students is 283.9% larger than aid received by Black Hills State University students ($23,302 vs. $6,070).

CCU vs. Black Hills State University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBlack Hills State University 965/1135.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBlack Hills State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CCU - Not reported; Black Hills State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CCU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CCU students have a 0.62 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22).

CCU vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Colorado Christian University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Black Hills State University's (28%).
• Graduates from Colorado Christian University earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Christian University graduates have a $478 lower median loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,478).
• Among borrowers, CCU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Black Hills State University graduates ($258 vs. $263).
• More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CCU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 50%)

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.