Northeastern Illinois University vs. Black Hills State University

Should I go to Northeastern Illinois University or Black Hills State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northeastern Illinois University 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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Northeastern Illinois University vs. Black Hills State University comparison
Northeastern Illinois University Black Hills State University College 3 College 4
Northeastern Illinois University Black Hills State University
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Overview

Northeastern Illinois University Black Hills State University
Location Chicago, IL Spearfish, SD
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 5,756 3,425
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #629 #1006
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu bhsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northeastern Illinois University Black Hills State University
Tuition (In State) $10,091 $7,700
Tuition (Out of State) $20,182 $10,800
Room & Board $10,742 $7,528
Avg Net Price $14,262 $16,782
Avg Grant Aid $15,143 $4,986
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 100%

Admission

Northeastern Illinois University Black Hills State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,603 1,579
Admitted 2,886 1,526
Acceptance Rate 62.7% 96.6%
Enrolled % 17.9% 31.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.22
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/21 18/24
SAT Range 810/1010 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 15, 2025

Academics

Northeastern Illinois University Black Hills State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

Northeastern Illinois University Black Hills State University
Graduation Rate 23% 28%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $38,800
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $25,478
Median Loan Payment $149 $263

Diversity

Northeastern Illinois University Black Hills State University
% Men 39% 37%
% Women 61% 63%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 33% 83%
% Black 10% 2%
% Hispanic 37% 5%
% Native American 0% 4%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Northeastern Illinois University Black Hills State University
% In-State 97% 57%
% Out-of-State 2% 42%

Campus

Northeastern Illinois University Black Hills State University
Campus Housing No Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northeastern Illinois University is larger than than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (5,756 students vs. 3,425 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois University or Black Hills State University?

  • Northeastern Illinois University is 31.1% more expensive to attend than Black Hills State University for in-state tuition ($10,091.00 vs. $7,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 86.9% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than Black Hills State University ($20,182.00 vs. $10,800.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than Black Hills State University ($14,262 vs. $16,782)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 42.7% lower than costs at Northeastern Illinois University ($7,528 vs. $10,742)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Black Hills State University than Northeastern Illinois University (100% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 203.7% larger than aid received Black Hills State University ($15,143 vs. $4,986)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Black Hills State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern Illinois University 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 Northeastern Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at Black Hills State University (988) is 118 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming Black Hills State University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman Black Hills State University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.6%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northeastern Illinois University 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 Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Black Hills State University is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (28% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Northeastern Illinois University earn on average $1,200 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates after ten years. ($40,000 vs. $38,800)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $10,978 lower median federal student loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates. ($14,500 vs. $25,478)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $114 less per month on federal student loans than Black Hills State University graduates. ($149 vs. $263)
  • More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/