Valley City State University vs. Black Hills State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Valley City State University in Valley City, ND 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 Valley City State University based on total student enrollment (3,346 students vs. 1,806 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Valley City State University is located in Valley City, ND (Remote Town setting); Black Hills State University is in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Valley City State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Black Hills State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Valley City State University 12:1; Black Hills State University 17:1.

Valley City State University vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Valley City State 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 Valley City State University than Black Hills State University ($12,442 vs. $15,576).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valley City State University are 29.4% lower than at Black Hills State University ($8,580 vs. $12,160).
• Black Hills State University is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Valley City State University (about $184 more per year; $8,764.00 vs. $8,580.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.1% higher at Valley City State University than at Black Hills State University (about $1,678 more per year; $13,544.00 vs. $11,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Valley City State University than at Black Hills State University (99% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valley City State University students is 23% larger than aid received by Black Hills State University students ($7,467 vs. $6,070).

Valley City State University vs. Black Hills State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Valley City State 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 Valley City State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Black Hills State University (1050) is 100 points higher than at Valley City State University (950).
• Incoming Black Hills State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Valley City State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valley City State University 830/1070; Black Hills State University 965/1135.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valley City State University 17/24; Black Hills State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Valley City State University - Test optional; Black Hills State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Valley City State University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22).
• Valley City State University has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than Black Hills State University (96.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.9% at Valley City State University vs. 30.1% at Black Hills State University.

Valley City State University vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Valley City State 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).

• Valley City State University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Black Hills State University's (28%).
• Graduates from Valley City State University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Valley City State University graduates have a $4,148 lower median loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates ($21,330 vs. $25,478).
• Among borrowers, Valley City State University graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Black Hills State University graduates ($220 vs. $263).
• More Valley City State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Black Hills State University students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.