ECU vs. Black Hills State University

Comparable Facts

Compare East Central University in Ada, OK with Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Central University is larger than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (3,377 students vs. 3,346 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Central University is located in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting); Black Hills State University is in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting).
• East Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Black Hills State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Central University 18:1; Black Hills State University 17:1.

ECU vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU 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 East Central University than Black Hills State University ($8,565 vs. $15,576).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 30% lower than at Black Hills State University ($8,516 vs. $12,160).
• Black Hills State University is 9.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $732 more per year; $8,764.00 vs. $8,032.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.4% higher at ECU than at Black Hills State University (about $5,976 more per year; $17,842.00 vs. $11,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at East Central University than at Black Hills State University (91% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Central University students is 52.5% larger than aid received by Black Hills State University students ($9,255 vs. $6,070).

ECU vs. Black Hills State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECU 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 ECU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Black Hills State University (1050) is 40 points higher than at ECU (1010).
• Incoming Black Hills State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Central University 900/1120; Black Hills State University 965/1135.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Central University 17/24; Black Hills State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; Black Hills State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ECU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22).
• Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than ECU (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.4% at ECU vs. 30.1% at Black Hills State University.

ECU vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU 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).

• East Central University's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than Black Hills State University's (28%).
• Graduates from East Central University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Central University graduates have a $8,600 lower median loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates ($16,878 vs. $25,478).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $89 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Black Hills State University graduates ($174 vs. $263).
• More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 45%)

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.