Fort Hays State University vs. Black Hills State University

Comparable Facts

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

Fort Hays State University is larger than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (12,878 students vs. 3,346 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, KS (Remote Town setting); Black Hills State University is in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Fort Hays 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: Fort Hays State University 15:1; Black Hills State University 17:1.

Fort Hays State University vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fort Hays State University 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 Fort Hays State University than Black Hills State University ($13,186 vs. $15,576).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Hays State University are 25% lower than at Black Hills State University ($9,120 vs. $12,160).
• Black Hills State University is 48% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fort Hays State University (about $2,841 more per year; $8,764.00 vs. $5,923.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.5% higher at Fort Hays State University than at Black Hills State University (about $5,875 more per year; $17,741.00 vs. $11,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fort Hays State University than at Black Hills State University (92% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fort Hays State University students is 11.2% larger than aid received by Black Hills State University students ($6,751 vs. $6,070).

Fort Hays State University vs. Black Hills State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fort Hays State University 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 Fort Hays State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fort Hays State University (1060) is 10 points higher than at Black Hills State University (1050).
• Incoming Fort Hays State University 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: Fort Hays State University 970/1140; Black Hills State University 965/1135.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Hays State University 18/24; Black Hills State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fort Hays State University - Test optional; Black Hills State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Fort Hays State University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22).
• Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than Fort Hays State University (90.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 41.8% at Fort Hays State University vs. 30.1% at Black Hills State University.

Fort Hays State University vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fort Hays State University 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).

• Fort Hays State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Black Hills State University's (28%).
• Graduates from Fort Hays State University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,400 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fort Hays State University graduates have a $4,760 lower median loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates ($20,718 vs. $25,478).
• Among borrowers, Fort Hays State University graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Black Hills State University graduates ($214 vs. $263).
• More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fort Hays State University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 60%)

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.