Cleveland State vs. Black Hills State University

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 3,346 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Black Hills State University is in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Black Hills State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; Black Hills State University 17:1.

Cleveland State vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or Black Hills State University? 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 Cleveland State ($15,576 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 19.5% lower than at Cleveland State University ($12,160 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 48.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Black Hills State University (about $4,224 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $8,764.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56% higher at Cleveland State than at Black Hills State University (about $6,644 more per year; $18,510.00 vs. $11,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland State University than at Black Hills State University (90% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 61.4% larger than aid received by Black Hills State University students ($9,795 vs. $6,070).

Cleveland State vs. Black Hills State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Black Hills State University (1050) is 40 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming Cleveland State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Black Hills State University (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130; Black Hills State University 965/1135.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25; Black Hills State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; Black Hills State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22).
• Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than Cleveland State (91.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 30.1% at Black Hills State University.

Cleveland State vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Cleveland State University's six-year graduation rate (30%) is higher than Black Hills State University's (28%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $3,978 lower median loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,478).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Black Hills State University graduates ($222 vs. $263).
• More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 47%)

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.