Black Hills State University vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Comparable Facts

Compare Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD with South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Black Hills State University is larger than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology based on total student enrollment (3,346 students vs. 2,576 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Black Hills State University is located in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting); South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is in Rapid City, SD (Small City setting).
• Black Hills State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Black Hills State University 17:1; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 12:1.

Black Hills State University vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Black Hills State University or South Dakota School of Mines and Technology? 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 Black Hills State University than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ($15,576 vs. $20,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are 23.5% lower than at Black Hills State University ($9,300 vs. $12,160).
• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is 19.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Black Hills State University (about $1,736 more per year; $10,500.00 vs. $8,764.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.6% higher at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology than at Black Hills State University (about $3,034 more per year; $14,900.00 vs. $11,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology than at Black Hills State University (84% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Black Hills State University students is 13.8% larger than aid received by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students ($6,070 vs. $5,334).

Black Hills State University vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Black Hills State University or South Dakota School of Mines and Technology? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and Black Hills State University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (1240) is 190 points higher than at Black Hills State University (1050).
• Incoming South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 21 at Black Hills State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Black Hills State University 965/1135; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Black Hills State University 18/24; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Black Hills State University - Test optional; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Feb 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22).
• Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Black Hills State University vs. 38.1% at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Black Hills State University vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Black Hills State University and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Black Hills State University's (28%).
• Graduates from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology earn a median of about $21,200 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Black Hills State University graduates have a $2,022 lower median loan debt than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($25,478 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Black Hills State University graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($263 vs. $284).
• More South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Black Hills State University students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.