GSU vs. Black Hills State University

Should I go to Governors State University or Black Hills State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GSU 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

USD South Dakota State University South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Governors State University vs. Black Hills State University comparison
Governors State University Black Hills State University College 3 College 4
Black Hills State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

GSU Black Hills State University
Location University Park, IL Spearfish, SD
Setting Rural Fringe Remote Town
Enrollment 4,427 3,425
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1006
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website govst.edu bhsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GSU Black Hills State University
Tuition (In State) $7,512 $7,700
Tuition (Out of State) $15,024 $10,800
Room & Board $11,000 $7,528
Avg Net Price $9,833 $16,782
Avg Grant Aid $11,987 $4,986
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

GSU Black Hills State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,865 1,579
Admitted 1,072 1,526
Acceptance Rate 57.5% 96.6%
Enrolled % 29.5% 31.5%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.22
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 830/1060 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 Apr 1, 2025

Academics

GSU Black Hills State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

GSU Black Hills State University
Graduation Rate - 28%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $38,800
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,250 $25,478
Median Loan Payment $178 $263

Diversity

GSU Black Hills State University
% Men 36% 37%
% Women 64% 63%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 36% 83%
% Black 38% 2%
% Hispanic 11% 5%
% Native American 0% 4%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 9% 1%

Students

GSU Black Hills State University
% In-State 95% 57%
% Out-of-State 3% 42%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Governors State University is larger than than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (4,427 students vs. 3,425 students)

GSU vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Black Hills State University is 2.5% more expensive to attend than GSU for in-state tuition ($7,700.00 vs. $7,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 39.1% higher at GSU than Black Hills State University ($15,024.00 vs. $10,800.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Governors State University than Black Hills State University ($9,833 vs. $16,782)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 46.1% lower than costs at Governors State University ($7,528 vs. $11,000)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Governors State University as Black Hills State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 140.4% larger than aid received Black Hills State University ($11,987 vs. $4,986)

GSU vs. Black Hills State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU 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 GSU .

  • The average SAT score at Black Hills State University (988) is 77 points higher than at GSU (911)
  • Incoming Black Hills State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at GSU (19)
  • Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.78 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22)
  • Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.6%) than GSU (57.5%)

GSU vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GSU 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 GSU.

  • Graduates from Governors State University earn on average $3,800 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates after ten years. ($42,600 vs. $38,800)
  • Governors State University students graduate with a $8,228 lower median federal student loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates. ($17,250 vs. $25,478)
  • GSU graduates are paying $85 less per month on federal student loans than Black Hills State University graduates. ($178 vs. $263)
  • More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 48%)

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