ESU vs. Black Hills State University

Should I go to Emporia State University or Black Hills State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ESU 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Emporia State University vs. Black Hills State University comparison
Emporia State University Black Hills State University College 3 College 4
Emporia State University Black Hills State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

ESU Black Hills State University
Location Emporia, KS Spearfish, SD
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 5,324 3,425
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1006
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website emporia.edu bhsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ESU Black Hills State University
Tuition (In State) $5,278 $7,700
Tuition (Out of State) $13,195 $10,800
Room & Board $9,308 $7,528
Avg Net Price $14,854 $16,782
Avg Grant Aid $5,345 $4,986
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 100%

Admission

ESU Black Hills State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,846 1,579
Admitted 1,766 1,526
Acceptance Rate 95.7% 96.6%
Enrolled % 30.4% 31.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.22
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 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

ESU Black Hills State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (27%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

ESU Black Hills State University
Graduation Rate 43% 28%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,000 $38,800
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,419 $25,478
Median Loan Payment $200 $263

Diversity

ESU Black Hills State University
% Men 33% 37%
% Women 67% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 70% 83%
% Black 5% 2%
% Hispanic 7% 5%
% Native American 1% 4%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 4%
% International 8% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

ESU Black Hills State University
% In-State 89% 57%
% Out-of-State 11% 42%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Emporia State University is larger than than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (5,324 students vs. 3,425 students)

ESU vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Black Hills State University is 45.9% more expensive to attend than ESU for in-state tuition ($7,700.00 vs. $5,278.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22.2% higher at ESU than Black Hills State University ($13,195.00 vs. $10,800.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Emporia State University than Black Hills State University ($14,854 vs. $16,782)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 23.6% lower than costs at Emporia State University ($7,528 vs. $9,308)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Black Hills State University than Emporia State University (100% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Emporia State University students is 7.2% larger than aid received Black Hills State University ($5,345 vs. $4,986)

ESU vs. Black Hills State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ESU 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 ESU .

  • The average SAT score at Emporia State University (1030) is 42 points higher than at Black Hills State University (988)
  • Incoming ESU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Black Hills State University (21)
  • Accepted freshman ESU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22)
  • Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.6%) than ESU (95.7%)

ESU vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ESU 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 ESU .

  • The graduation rate at ESU is higher than Black Hills State University (43% vs. 28%)
  • Graduates from Emporia State University earn on average $200 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates after ten years. ($39,000 vs. $38,800)
  • Emporia State University students graduate with a $6,059 lower median federal student loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates. ($19,419 vs. $25,478)
  • ESU graduates are paying $63 less per month on federal student loans than Black Hills State University graduates. ($200 vs. $263)
  • More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ESU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 59%)

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