Black Hills State University vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Merced is larger than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 3,346 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Black Hills State University is located in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Black Hills State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Black Hills State University 17:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Black Hills State University vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Black Hills State University or UC Merced? 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 University of California Merced than Black Hills State University ($13,690 vs. $15,576).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 43.3% lower than at University of California Merced ($12,160 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 78.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Black Hills State University (about $6,859 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $8,764.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 319.9% higher at UC Merced than at Black Hills State University (about $37,957 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $11,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at Black Hills State University (89% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 349.6% larger than aid received by Black Hills State University students ($27,292 vs. $6,070).

Black Hills State University vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Black Hills State University or UC Merced? 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 UC Merced and Black Hills State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Black Hills State University (1050) is the same as at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming Black Hills State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at UC Merced (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Black Hills State University 965/1135; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Black Hills State University 18/24; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Black Hills State University - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22).
• Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than UC Merced (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Black Hills State University vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Black Hills State University vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Black Hills State University and UC Merced? 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).

• University of California Merced's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Black Hills State University's (28%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $5,579 lower median loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates ($19,899 vs. $25,478).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Black Hills State University graduates ($205 vs. $263).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Black Hills State University students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.