Naropa University vs. Black Hills State University

Comparable Facts

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

Black Hills State University is larger than Naropa University based on total student enrollment (3,346 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Naropa University is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); Black Hills State University is in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Naropa University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Black Hills State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Naropa University 10:1; Black Hills State University 17:1.

Naropa University vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Naropa University 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 Naropa University ($15,576 vs. $27,873).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 1.1% lower than at Naropa University ($12,160 vs. $12,290).
• Naropa University is 317.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Black Hills State University (about $27,856 more per year; $36,620.00 vs. $8,764.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 208.6% higher at Naropa University than at Black Hills State University (about $24,754 more per year; $36,620.00 vs. $11,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Naropa University than at Black Hills State University (83% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Naropa University students is 318.9% larger than aid received by Black Hills State University students ($25,429 vs. $6,070).

Naropa University vs. Black Hills State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Naropa University 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 Naropa University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBlack 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: Naropa University - Test-free; Black Hills State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Naropa University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22).
• Naropa University has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Black Hills State University (96.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Naropa University vs. 30.1% at Black Hills State University.

Naropa University vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Naropa University 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).

• Naropa University's six-year graduation rate (35%) is higher than Black Hills State University's (28%).
• Graduates from Black Hills State University earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than Naropa University graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,800 vs. $25,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Black Hills State University graduates have a $1,022 lower median loan debt than Naropa University graduates ($25,478 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Black Hills State University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Naropa University graduates ($263 vs. $274).
• More Naropa University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Black Hills State University students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 62%)

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.