Georgia Southwestern vs. Black Hills State University

Comparable Facts

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

Georgia Southwestern State University is larger than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (3,700 students vs. 3,346 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgia Southwestern State University is located in Americus, GA (Distant Town setting); Black Hills State University is in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Georgia Southwestern 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: Georgia Southwestern State University 18:1; Black Hills State University 17:1.

Georgia Southwestern vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia Southwestern 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 Georgia Southwestern State University than Black Hills State University ($11,769 vs. $15,576).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia Southwestern State University are 10.8% lower than at Black Hills State University ($10,850 vs. $12,160).
• Black Hills State University is 67.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia Southwestern (about $3,544 more per year; $8,764.00 vs. $5,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.7% higher at Georgia Southwestern than at Black Hills State University (about $4,706 more per year; $16,572.00 vs. $11,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Georgia Southwestern State University than at Black Hills State University (91% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Georgia Southwestern State University students is 50% larger than aid received by Black Hills State University students ($9,104 vs. $6,070).

Georgia Southwestern vs. Black Hills State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Georgia Southwestern 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 Georgia Southwestern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Black Hills State University (1050) is 50 points higher than at Georgia Southwestern (1000).
• Incoming Black Hills State University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at Georgia Southwestern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia Southwestern State University 890/1110; Black Hills State University 965/1135.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia Southwestern State University 16/22; Black Hills State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia Southwestern - Test optional; Black Hills State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia Southwestern Jul 21, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Black Hills State University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at Georgia Southwestern (3.17).
• Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than Georgia Southwestern (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.5% at Georgia Southwestern vs. 30.1% at Black Hills State University.

Georgia Southwestern vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia Southwestern 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).

• Georgia Southwestern State University's six-year graduation rate (30%) is higher than Black Hills State University's (28%).
• Graduates from Black Hills State University earn a median of about $700 more per year than Georgia Southwestern graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,800 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgia Southwestern State University graduates have a $3,478 lower median loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates ($22,000 vs. $25,478).
• Among borrowers, Georgia Southwestern graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Black Hills State University graduates ($227 vs. $263).
• More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia Southwestern students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 45%)

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.