Black Hills State University vs. UHCL

Comparable Facts

Compare Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD with University of Houston Clear Lake in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Houston Clear Lake is larger than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (8,137 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 Houston Clear Lake is in Houston, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Black Hills State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Clear Lake is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Black Hills State University 17:1; University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1.

Black Hills State University vs. UHCL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Black Hills State University or UHCL? 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 Houston Clear Lake than Black Hills State University ($14,059 vs. $15,576).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 3.8% lower than at University of Houston Clear Lake ($12,160 vs. $12,642).
• Black Hills State University is 12.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $994 more per year; $8,764.00 vs. $7,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.9% higher at UHCL than at Black Hills State University (about $9,248 more per year; $21,114.00 vs. $11,866.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Black Hills State University as at University of Houston Clear Lake (76% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students is 108.1% larger than aid received by Black Hills State University students ($12,630 vs. $6,070).

Black Hills State University vs. UHCL Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston Clear Lake (1060) is 10 points higher than at Black Hills State University (1050).
• Incoming UHCL students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Black Hills State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Black Hills State University 965/1135; University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Black Hills State University 18/24; University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Black Hills State University - Test optional; UHCL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UHCL Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UHCL students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22).
• Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than UHCL (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Black Hills State University vs. 22.2% at UHCL.

Black Hills State University vs. UHCL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Graduates from University of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $8,328 lower median loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates ($17,150 vs. $25,478).
• Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Black Hills State University graduates ($177 vs. $263).
• More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UHCL students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 56%)

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.