Metropolitan State College of Denver vs. Black Hills State University

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

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Metropolitan State College of Denver vs. Black Hills State University comparison
Metropolitan State College of Denver Black Hills State University College 3 College 4
Metropolitan State College of Denver Black Hills State University
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Overview

Metropolitan State College of Denver Black Hills State University
Location Denver, CO Spearfish, SD
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 16,995 3,425
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #990 #1006
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mscd.edu bhsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Metropolitan State College of Denver Black Hills State University
Tuition (In State) $8,445 $7,700
Tuition (Out of State) $26,277 $10,800
Room & Board $12,411 $7,528
Avg Net Price $14,805 $16,782
Avg Grant Aid $5,930 $4,986
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Metropolitan State College of Denver Black Hills State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,163 1,579
Admitted 9,951 1,526
Acceptance Rate 97.9% 96.6%
Enrolled % 19.2% 31.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.03 3.22
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/23 18/24
SAT Range 910/1130 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 1, 2025

Academics

Metropolitan State College of Denver Black Hills State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

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

Diversity

Metropolitan State College of Denver Black Hills State University
% Men 43% 37%
% Women 57% 63%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 58% 83%
% Black 6% 2%
% Hispanic 22% 5%
% Native American 1% 4%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Metropolitan State College of Denver Black Hills State University
% In-State 97% 57%
% Out-of-State 3% 42%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Metropolitan State College of Denver is larger than than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (16,995 students vs. 3,425 students)

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

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State College of Denver or Black Hills State University?

  • Metropolitan State College of Denver is 9.7% more expensive to attend than Black Hills State University for in-state tuition ($8,445.00 vs. $7,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 143.3% higher at Metropolitan State College of Denver than Black Hills State University ($26,277.00 vs. $10,800.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Metropolitan State College of Denver than Black Hills State University ($14,805 vs. $16,782)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 64.9% lower than costs at Metropolitan State College of Denver ($7,528 vs. $12,411)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Metropolitan State College of Denver as Black Hills State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State College of Denver students is 18.9% larger than aid received Black Hills State University ($5,930 vs. $4,986)

Metropolitan State College of Denver vs. Black Hills State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Black Hills State University (988) is 17 points higher than at Metropolitan State College of Denver (971)
  • Incoming Metropolitan State College of Denver students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at Black Hills State University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Black Hills State University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at Metropolitan State College of Denver (3.03)
  • Metropolitan State College of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than Black Hills State University (96.6%)

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

Which is better, Metropolitan State College of Denver 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 Metropolitan State College of Denver.

  • The graduation rate at Black Hills State University is higher than Metropolitan State College of Denver (28% vs. 21%)
  • Graduates from Metropolitan State College of Denver earn on average $3,800 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates after ten years. ($42,600 vs. $38,800)
  • Metropolitan State College of Denver students graduate with a $1,228 lower median federal student loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates. ($24,250 vs. $25,478)
  • Metropolitan State College of Denver graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans 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 College 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/