Black Hills State University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD with California State University San Marcos in San Marcos, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University San Marcos is larger than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 3,346 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Black Hills State University is located in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Black Hills State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Black Hills State University 17:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Black Hills State University vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Black Hills State University or California State University-San Marcos? 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 California State University San Marcos than Black Hills State University ($10,241 vs. $15,576).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 14.1% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($12,160 vs. $14,152).
• Black Hills State University is 8.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $682 more per year; $8,764.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.3% higher at California State University-San Marcos than at Black Hills State University (about $8,816 more per year; $20,682.00 vs. $11,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Black Hills State University than at California State University San Marcos (76% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Marcos students is 83.2% larger than aid received by Black Hills State University students ($11,123 vs. $6,070).

Black Hills State University vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Black Hills State University or California State University-San Marcos? 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 California State University-San Marcos and Black Hills State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Black Hills State University (1050) is 10 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Incoming Black Hills State University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Black Hills State University 965/1135; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Black Hills State University 18/24; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Black Hills State University - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Marcos students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22).
• Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than California State University-San Marcos (95.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Black Hills State University vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

Black Hills State University vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Black Hills State University and California State University-San Marcos? 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).

• California State University San Marcos's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Black Hills State University's (28%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $7,483 lower median loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates ($17,995 vs. $25,478).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Black Hills State University graduates ($186 vs. $263).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Black Hills State University students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.