Ferris State University vs. Black Hills State University

Should I go to Ferris State University or Black Hills State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Ferris State University 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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Ferris State University vs. Black Hills State University comparison
Ferris State University Black Hills State University College 3 College 4
Ferris State University Black Hills State University
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Overview

Ferris State University Black Hills State University
Location Big Rapids, MI Spearfish, SD
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 10,072 3,425
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #791 #1006
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ferris.edu bhsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Ferris State University Black Hills State University
Tuition (In State) $13,076 $7,700
Tuition (Out of State) $13,076 $10,800
Room & Board $10,268 $7,528
Avg Net Price $13,978 $16,782
Avg Grant Aid $11,128 $4,986
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

Ferris State University Black Hills State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,228 1,579
Admitted 10,746 1,526
Acceptance Rate 87.9% 96.6%
Enrolled % 16.2% 31.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.22
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 18/24
SAT Range 910/1150 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

Ferris State University Black Hills State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

Ferris State University Black Hills State University
Graduation Rate 45% 28%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $38,800
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,179 $25,478
Median Loan Payment $250 $263

Diversity

Ferris State University Black Hills State University
% Men 45% 37%
% Women 55% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 83%
% Black 8% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 1% 4%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Ferris State University Black Hills State University
% In-State 92% 57%
% Out-of-State 6% 42%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Ferris State University is larger than than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (10,072 students vs. 3,425 students)

Ferris State University vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Ferris State University is 69.8% more expensive to attend than Black Hills State University for in-state tuition ($13,076.00 vs. $7,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 21.1% higher at Ferris State University than Black Hills State University ($13,076.00 vs. $10,800.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than Black Hills State University ($13,978 vs. $16,782)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 36.4% lower than costs at Ferris State University ($7,528 vs. $10,268)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Black Hills State University than Ferris State University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 123.2% larger than aid received Black Hills State University ($11,128 vs. $4,986)

Ferris State University vs. Black Hills State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ferris State University 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 Ferris State University .

  • The average SAT score at Ferris State University (1009) is 21 points higher than at Black Hills State University (988)
  • Incoming Ferris State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Black Hills State University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Ferris State University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22)
  • Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.6%) than Ferris State University (87.9%)

Ferris State University vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Ferris State University 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 Ferris State University.

  • The graduation rate at Ferris State University is higher than Black Hills State University (45% vs. 28%)
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $8,200 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $38,800)
  • Ferris State University students graduate with a $1,299 lower median federal student loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates. ($24,179 vs. $25,478)
  • Ferris State University graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Black Hills State University graduates. ($250 vs. $263)
  • More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 58%)

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