Jackson State University vs. Black Hills State University

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

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Jackson State University vs. Black Hills State University comparison
Jackson State University Black Hills State University College 3 College 4
Jackson State University Black Hills State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Jackson State University Black Hills State University
Location Jackson, MS Spearfish, SD
Setting Midsize City Remote Town
Enrollment 6,564 3,475
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #974 #1000
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jsums.edu bhsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Jackson State University Black Hills State University
Tuition (In State) $8,815 $7,700
Tuition (Out of State) $8,815 $10,800
Room & Board $11,782 $7,400
Avg Net Price $19,892 $16,474
Avg Grant Aid $8,133 $5,158
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 74%

Admission

Jackson State University Black Hills State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,141 1,617
Admitted 12,873 1,527
Acceptance Rate 91% 94.4%
Enrolled % 7.6% 32%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.22
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/20 18/24
SAT Range 850/1080 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 Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Jackson State University Black Hills State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • General Studies (12%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

Jackson State University Black Hills State University
Graduation Rate 40% 28%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $32,800 $38,800
Making Student Loan Payments 36% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $29,000 $25,478
Median Loan Payment $299 $263

Diversity

Jackson State University Black Hills State University
% Men 7% 1%
% Women 20% 4%
Racial Diversity Extremely Low Very Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 4% 83%
% Black 92% 2%
% Hispanic 0% 5%
% Native American 0% 4%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 4%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Jackson State University Black Hills State University
% In-State 30% 57%
% Out-of-State 69% 42%

Campus

Jackson 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 Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Jackson State University is larger than than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (6,564 students vs. 3,475 students)

Jackson State University vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Jackson State University is 14.5% more expensive to attend than Black Hills State University for in-state tuition ($8,815.00 vs. $7,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22.5% higher at Black Hills State University than Jackson State University ($10,800.00 vs. $8,815.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Black Hills State University than Jackson State University ($16,474 vs. $19,892)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 59.2% lower than costs at Jackson State University ($7,400 vs. $11,782)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Jackson State University than Black Hills State University (92% vs. 74%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Jackson State University students is 57.7% larger than aid received Black Hills State University ($8,133 vs. $5,158)

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

Which college is harder to get into, Jackson 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 Jackson State University .

  • The average SAT score at Black Hills State University (988) is 78 points higher than at Jackson State University (910)
  • Incoming Black Hills State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Jackson State University (19)
  • Accepted freshman Black Hills State University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at Jackson State University (3.1)
  • Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (94.4%) than Jackson State University (91%)

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

Which is better, Jackson 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 Jackson State University.

  • The graduation rate at Jackson State University is higher than Black Hills State University (40% vs. 28%)
  • Graduates from Black Hills State University earn on average $6,000 more per year than Jackson State University graduates after ten years. ($38,800 vs. $32,800)
  • Black Hills State University students graduate with a $3,522 lower median federal student loan debt than Jackson State University graduates. ($25,478 vs. $29,000)
  • Black Hills State University graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than Jackson State University graduates. ($263 vs. $299)
  • More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jackson State University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 36%)

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