Lewis-Clark State College vs. Black Hills State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Lewis Clark State College in Lewiston, ID with Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lewis Clark State College is larger than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (3,801 students vs. 3,346 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lewis Clark State College is located in Lewiston, ID (Small City setting); Black Hills State University is in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Lewis Clark 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: Lewis Clark State College 16:1; Black Hills State University 17:1.

Lewis-Clark State College vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lewis-Clark State College 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 Lewis-Clark State College ($15,576 vs. $15,917).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 2.7% lower than at Lewis Clark State College ($12,160 vs. $12,492).
• Black Hills State University is 15.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lewis-Clark State College (about $1,154 more per year; $8,764.00 vs. $7,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.6% higher at Lewis-Clark State College than at Black Hills State University (about $10,162 more per year; $22,028.00 vs. $11,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lewis Clark State College than at Black Hills State University (88% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lewis Clark State College students is 21.4% larger than aid received by Black Hills State University students ($7,371 vs. $6,070).

Lewis-Clark State College vs. Black Hills State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lewis-Clark State College 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 Lewis-Clark State College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Black Hills State University (1050) is 70 points higher than at Lewis-Clark State College (980).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lewis Clark State College 850/1110; Black 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: Lewis-Clark State College - Test-free; Black Hills State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lewis-Clark State College Aug 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lewis-Clark State College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22).
• Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than Lewis-Clark State College (87.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at Lewis-Clark State College vs. 30.1% at Black Hills State University.

Lewis-Clark State College vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lewis-Clark State College 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).

• The graduation rate at Lewis-Clark State College is the same as at Black Hills State University (28% vs. 28%).
• Graduates from Black Hills State University earn a median of about $800 more per year than Lewis-Clark State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,800 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lewis Clark State College graduates have a $3,534 lower median loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates ($21,944 vs. $25,478).
• Among borrowers, Lewis-Clark State College graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Black Hills State University graduates ($226 vs. $263).
• More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lewis-Clark State College students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 55%)

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.