Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. Black Hills State University

Deciding between Metropolitan State University of Denver and Black Hills State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Metropolitan State University of Denver
Black Hills State University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO
  • Black Hills State University Spearfish, SD
  • Setting
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Large City
  • Black Hills State University Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 18,453
  • Black Hills State University 3,346
  • Type
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Public 4 Year
  • Black Hills State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver #920
  • Black Hills State University #1001
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver -
  • Black Hills State University -
  • Status
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Non-profit
  • Black Hills State University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • Black Hills State University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $11,124
  • Black Hills State University $8,764
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $30,684
  • Black Hills State University $11,866
  • Room & Board
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $16,785
  • Black Hills State University $12,160
  • Average Net Price
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $14,584
  • Black Hills State University $15,576
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $9,813
  • Black Hills State University $6,070
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 65%
  • Black Hills State University 76%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Calculate
  • Black Hills State University Calculate
  • Applied
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 11,622
  • Black Hills State University 1,690
  • Admitted
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 11,483
  • Black Hills State University 1,628
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 98.8%
  • Black Hills State University 96.3%
  • Enrolled
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 19.1%
  • Black Hills State University 30.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 1010
  • Black Hills State University 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 21
  • Black Hills State University 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 3.03
  • Black Hills State University 3.22
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver B
  • Black Hills State University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Easy
  • Black Hills State University Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • Black Hills State University
  • ACT Range
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26
  • Black Hills State University 18/24
  • SAT Range
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130
  • Black Hills State University 965/1135
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Test optional
  • Black Hills State University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027
  • Black Hills State University

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1
  • Black Hills State University 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
    • Business (21%)
    • General Studies (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Black Hills State University
    • Education (21%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Psychology (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 21%
  • Black Hills State University 28%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $42,600
  • Black Hills State University $38,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 47%
  • Black Hills State University 62%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $24,250
  • Black Hills State University $25,478
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $250
  • Black Hills State University $263

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 44%
  • Black Hills State University 37%
  • % Women
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 56%
  • Black Hills State University 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver High
  • Black Hills State University Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver No
  • Black Hills State University No
  • % White
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 58%
  • Black Hills State University 83%
  • % Asian
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 4%
  • Black Hills State University 0%
  • % Black
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 6%
  • Black Hills State University 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 22%
  • Black Hills State University 5%
  • % Native American
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 1%
  • Black Hills State University 4%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 0%
  • Black Hills State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 4%
  • Black Hills State University 4%
  • % International
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 0%
  • Black Hills State University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 4%
  • Black Hills State University 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 97%
  • Black Hills State University 55%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 3%
  • Black Hills State University 44%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Metropolitan State University of Denver in Denver, CO with Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Metropolitan State University of Denver is larger than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (18,453 students vs. 3,346 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Metropolitan State University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Black Hills State University is in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting).
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Black Hills State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1; Black Hills State University 17:1.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University of Denver 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver than Black Hills State University ($14,584 vs. $15,576).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 27.6% lower than at Metropolitan State University of Denver ($12,160 vs. $16,785).
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver is 26.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Black Hills State University (about $2,360 more per year; $11,124.00 vs. $8,764.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 158.6% higher at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at Black Hills State University (about $18,818 more per year; $30,684.00 vs. $11,866.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Black Hills State University than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (76% vs. 65%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students is 61.7% larger than aid received by Black Hills State University students ($9,813 vs. $6,070).

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. Black Hills State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Metropolitan State University of Denver 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Black Hills State University (1050) is 40 points higher than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010).
  • Incoming Metropolitan State University of Denver students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Black Hills State University (21).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130; Black Hills State University 965/1135.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26; Black Hills State University 18/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional; Black Hills State University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Black Hills State University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (3.03).
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Black Hills State University (96.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. 30.1% at Black Hills State University.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Metropolitan State University of Denver 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).

  • Black Hills State University's six-year graduation rate (28%) is higher than Metropolitan State University of Denver's (21%).
  • Graduates from Metropolitan State University of Denver earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates have a $1,228 lower median loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates ($24,250 vs. $25,478).
  • Among borrowers, Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Black Hills State University graduates ($250 vs. $263).
  • More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University of Denver students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 47%)

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.