Kean vs. Black Hills State University

Comparable Facts

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

Kean University is larger than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (13,905 students vs. 3,346 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kean University is located in Union, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Black Hills State University is in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Kean 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: Kean University 17:1; Black Hills State University 17:1.

Kean vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kean 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 Kean University than Black Hills State University ($12,708 vs. $15,576).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 33.4% lower than at Kean University ($12,160 vs. $18,264).
• Kean University is 63.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Black Hills State University (about $5,535 more per year; $14,299.00 vs. $8,764.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89.2% higher at Kean than at Black Hills State University (about $10,580 more per year; $22,446.00 vs. $11,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kean University than at Black Hills State University (90% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kean University students is 147.9% larger than aid received by Black Hills State University students ($15,048 vs. $6,070).

Kean vs. Black Hills State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kean 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 Kean.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Black Hills State University (1050) is 10 points higher than at Kean (1040).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kean University 930/1150; Black Hills State University 965/1135.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBlack Hills State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kean - Test optional; Black Hills State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kean Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Black Hills State University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at Kean (3.2).
• Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than Kean (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.7% at Kean vs. 30.1% at Black Hills State University.

Kean vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kean 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).

• Kean University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Black Hills State University's (28%).
• Graduates from Kean University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kean University graduates have a $478 lower median loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,478).
• Among borrowers, Kean graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Black Hills State University graduates ($258 vs. $263).
• More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kean students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 52%)

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.