Western Illinois University vs. Black Hills State University

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

Western Illinois University Black Hills State University
Location Macomb, IL Spearfish, SD
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 7,643 3,425
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #1006
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu bhsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University Black Hills State University
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $7,700
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $10,800
Room & Board $10,500 $7,528
Avg Net Price $11,213 $16,782
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $4,986
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

Western Illinois University Black Hills State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 1,579
Admitted 6,914 1,526
Acceptance Rate 75% 96.6%
Enrolled % 15.5% 31.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.22
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 18/24
SAT Range 880/1090 970/1085
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Western Illinois University Black Hills State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University Black Hills State University
Graduation Rate 53% 28%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $38,800
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $25,478
Median Loan Payment $255 $263

Diversity

Western Illinois University Black Hills State University
% Men 43% 37%
% Women 57% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 83%
% Black 19% 2%
% Hispanic 11% 5%
% Native American 0% 4%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Western Illinois University Black Hills State University
% In-State 89% 57%
% Out-of-State 10% 42%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 3,425 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Illinois University is 23.6% more expensive to attend than Black Hills State University for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $7,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.5% higher at Black Hills State University than Western Illinois University ($10,800.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Black Hills State University ($11,213 vs. $16,782)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 39.5% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($7,528 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Black Hills State University than Western Illinois University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 213.5% larger than aid received Black Hills State University ($15,632 vs. $4,986)

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

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

  • The average SAT score at Black Hills State University (988) is 18 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at Black Hills State University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22)
  • Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.6%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

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

Which is better, Western 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 Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Black Hills State University (53% vs. 28%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $7,200 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $38,800)
  • Western Illinois University students graduate with a $774 lower median federal student loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates. ($24,704 vs. $25,478)
  • Western Illinois University graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Black Hills State University graduates. ($255 vs. $263)
  • More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 61%)

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