NMSU vs. Black Hills State University

Comparable Facts

Compare New Mexico State University Main Campus in Las Cruces, NM with Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

New Mexico State University Main Campus is larger than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (15,408 students vs. 3,346 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• New Mexico State University Main Campus is located in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting); Black Hills State University is in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting).
• New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Black Hills State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: New Mexico State University Main Campus 16:1; Black Hills State University 17:1.

NMSU vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NMSU 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 New Mexico State University Main Campus than Black Hills State University ($10,719 vs. $15,576).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 1% lower than at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($12,160 vs. $12,282).
• Black Hills State University is 7.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than NMSU (about $581 more per year; $8,764.00 vs. $8,183.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 113.3% higher at NMSU than at Black Hills State University (about $13,441 more per year; $25,307.00 vs. $11,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Main Campus than at Black Hills State University (96% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 137.6% larger than aid received by Black Hills State University students ($14,420 vs. $6,070).

NMSU vs. Black Hills State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NMSU 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 NMSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Black Hills State University (1050) is 60 points higher than at NMSU (990).
• Incoming Black Hills State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at NMSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: New Mexico State University Main Campus 870/1110; Black Hills State University 965/1135.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: New Mexico State University Main Campus 17/24; Black Hills State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NMSU - Test optional; Black Hills State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22).
• Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than NMSU (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at NMSU vs. 30.1% at Black Hills State University.

NMSU vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NMSU 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).

• New Mexico State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Black Hills State University's (28%).
• Graduates from New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of about $600 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,400 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates have a $8,360 lower median loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates ($17,118 vs. $25,478).
• Among borrowers, NMSU graduates have an estimated $87 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Black Hills State University graduates ($176 vs. $263).
• More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NMSU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 44%)

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.