Gordon vs. Black Hills State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Gordon State College in Barnesville, GA with Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Black Hills State University is larger than Gordon based on total student enrollment (3,346 students vs. 3,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting); Black Hills State University is in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Gordon State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Black Hills State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gordon State College 20:1; Black Hills State University 17:1.

Gordon vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon 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 Gordon State College than Black Hills State University ($7,807 vs. $15,576).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon State College are 14.1% lower than at Black Hills State University ($10,444 vs. $12,160).
• Black Hills State University is 141.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $5,136 more per year; $8,764.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.4% higher at Black Hills State University than at Gordon State College (about $918 more per year; $11,866.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gordon State College than at Black Hills State University (89% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gordon State College students is 6.5% larger than aid received by Black Hills State University students ($6,462 vs. $6,070).

Gordon vs. Black Hills State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gordon 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 Gordon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Black Hills State University (1050) is 40 points higher than at Gordon (1010).
• Incoming Black Hills State University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at Gordon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 890/1130; Black Hills State University 965/1135.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 15/24; Black Hills State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon - Test optional; Black Hills State University - Test optional.
• Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than Gordon (85.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Gordon vs. 30.1% at Black Hills State University.

Gordon vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon 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).

• Graduates from Black Hills State University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Gordon graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,800 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $7,978 lower median loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates ($17,500 vs. $25,478).
• Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Black Hills State University graduates ($180 vs. $263).
• More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 26%)

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.