DSU vs. Black Hills State University

Should I go to Dickinson State University or Black Hills State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if DSU or Black Hills State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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USD South Dakota State University South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Dickinson State University vs. Black Hills State University comparison
Dickinson State University Black Hills State University College 3 College 4
Dickinson State University Black Hills State University
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Overview

DSU Black Hills State University
Location Dickinson, ND Spearfish, SD
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,473 3,425
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #736 #1006
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website dickinsonstate.com bhsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

DSU Black Hills State University
Tuition (In State) $7,470 $7,700
Tuition (Out of State) $9,570 $10,800
Room & Board $7,740 $7,528
Avg Net Price $14,971 $16,782
Avg Grant Aid $5,391 $4,986
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 100%

Admission

DSU Black Hills State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 729 1,579
Admitted 525 1,526
Acceptance Rate 72% 96.6%
Enrolled % 46.1% 31.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.11 3.22
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/21 18/24
SAT Range 875/1130 970/1085
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

DSU Black Hills State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (42%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • General Studies (7%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

DSU Black Hills State University
Graduation Rate 26% 28%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,800 $38,800
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,781 $25,478
Median Loan Payment $194 $263

Diversity

DSU Black Hills State University
% Men 45% 37%
% Women 55% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 83%
% Black 5% 2%
% Hispanic 6% 5%
% Native American 1% 4%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 6% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

DSU Black Hills State University
% In-State 51% 57%
% Out-of-State 46% 42%

Campus

DSU Black Hills State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Black Hills State University is larger than than DSU based on total student enrollment (3,425 students vs. 1,473 students)

DSU vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSU or Black Hills State University?

  • Black Hills State University is 3.1% more expensive to attend than DSU for in-state tuition ($7,700.00 vs. $7,470.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.9% higher at Black Hills State University than Dickinson State University ($10,800.00 vs. $9,570.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dickinson State University than Black Hills State University ($14,971 vs. $16,782)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 2.8% lower than costs at Dickinson State University ($7,528 vs. $7,740)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Black Hills State University than Dickinson State University (100% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson State University students is 8.1% larger than aid received Black Hills State University ($5,391 vs. $4,986)

DSU vs. Black Hills State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSU or Black Hills State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Black Hills State University or DSU .

  • The average SAT score at Black Hills State University (988) is 37 points higher than at DSU (951)
  • Incoming Black Hills State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at DSU (20)
  • Accepted freshman Black Hills State University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at DSU (3.11)
  • Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.6%) than DSU (72%)

DSU vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, DSU or Black Hills State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Black Hills State University and DSU.

  • The graduation rate at Black Hills State University is higher than Dickinson State University (28% vs. 26%)
  • Graduates from Dickinson State University earn on average $8,000 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates after ten years. ($46,800 vs. $38,800)
  • Dickinson State University students graduate with a $6,697 lower median federal student loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates. ($18,781 vs. $25,478)
  • DSU graduates are paying $69 less per month on federal student loans than Black Hills State University graduates. ($194 vs. $263)
  • More DSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Black Hills State University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/