RMC vs. Black Hills State University

Deciding between Rocky Mountain College and Black Hills State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Rocky Mountain College
Black Hills State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • RMC Billings, MT
  • Black Hills State University Spearfish, SD
  • Setting
  • RMC Midsize City
  • Black Hills State University Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • RMC 1,032
  • Black Hills State University 3,346
  • Type
  • RMC Private 4 Year
  • Black Hills State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • RMC #709
  • Black Hills State University #1001
  • Religious Affiliation
  • RMC United Church of Christ
  • Black Hills State University -
  • Status
  • RMC Non-profit
  • Black Hills State University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • RMC
  • Black Hills State University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • RMC $35,582
  • Black Hills State University $8,764
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • RMC $35,582
  • Black Hills State University $11,866
  • Room & Board
  • RMC $10,152
  • Black Hills State University $12,160
  • Average Net Price
  • RMC $20,791
  • Black Hills State University $15,576
  • Average Grant Aid
  • RMC $25,508
  • Black Hills State University $6,070
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • RMC 100%
  • Black Hills State University 76%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • RMC 1,405
  • Black Hills State University 1,690
  • Admitted
  • RMC 978
  • Black Hills State University 1,628
  • Acceptance Rate
  • RMC 69.6%
  • Black Hills State University 96.3%
  • Enrolled
  • RMC 28.6%
  • Black Hills State University 30.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • RMC 1010
  • Black Hills State University 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • RMC 21
  • Black Hills State University 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • RMC 3.42
  • Black Hills State University 3.22
  • Typical High School Grades
  • RMC B+
  • Black Hills State University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • RMC Very Easy
  • Black Hills State University Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • RMC Low
  • Black Hills State University
  • ACT Range
  • RMC 18/24
  • Black Hills State University 18/24
  • SAT Range
  • RMC 893/1133
  • Black Hills State University 965/1135
  • Submit Test Scores
  • RMC Test optional
  • Black Hills State University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • RMC
  • Black Hills State University

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • RMC 14:1
  • Black Hills State University 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • RMC
    • Business (17%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Transportation and Materials Moving (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Black Hills State University
    • Education (21%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Psychology (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • RMC 50%
  • Black Hills State University 28%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • RMC $46,800
  • Black Hills State University $38,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • RMC 66%
  • Black Hills State University 62%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • RMC $26,000
  • Black Hills State University $25,478
  • Median Loan Payment
  • RMC $268
  • Black Hills State University $263

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • RMC 50%
  • Black Hills State University 37%
  • % Women
  • RMC 50%
  • Black Hills State University 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • RMC Low
  • Black Hills State University Very Low
  • HBCU
  • RMC No
  • Black Hills State University No
  • % White
  • RMC 78%
  • Black Hills State University 83%
  • % Asian
  • RMC 1%
  • Black Hills State University 0%
  • % Black
  • RMC 3%
  • Black Hills State University 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • RMC 6%
  • Black Hills State University 5%
  • % Native American
  • RMC 2%
  • Black Hills State University 4%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • RMC 1%
  • Black Hills State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • RMC 4%
  • Black Hills State University 4%
  • % International
  • RMC 4%
  • Black Hills State University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • RMC 2%
  • Black Hills State University 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • RMC 50%
  • Black Hills State University 55%
  • % Out-of-State
  • RMC 43%
  • Black Hills State University 44%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • RMC Yes
  • Black Hills State University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • RMC No
  • Black Hills State University No
  • Meal Plan
  • RMC Yes
  • Black Hills State University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • RMC No
  • Black Hills State University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • RMC Yes
  • Black Hills State University Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT with Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Black Hills State University is larger than RMC based on total student enrollment (3,346 students vs. 1,032 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Rocky Mountain College is located in Billings, MT (Midsize City setting); Black Hills State University is in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting).
  • Rocky Mountain College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Black Hills State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Rocky Mountain College 14:1; Black Hills State University 17:1.

RMC vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RMC 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 Black Hills State University than RMC ($15,576 vs. $20,791).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rocky Mountain College are 16.5% lower than at Black Hills State University ($10,152 vs. $12,160).
  • Rocky Mountain College is 306% more expensive for in-state tuition than Black Hills State University (about $26,818 more per year; $35,582.00 vs. $8,764.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 199.9% higher at RMC than at Black Hills State University (about $23,716 more per year; $35,582.00 vs. $11,866.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rocky Mountain College than at Black Hills State University (100% vs. 76%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rocky Mountain College students is 320.2% larger than aid received by Black Hills State University students ($25,508 vs. $6,070).

RMC vs. Black Hills State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RMC 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 RMC.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Black Hills State University (1050) is 40 points higher than at RMC (1010).
  • Incoming RMC 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: Rocky Mountain College 893/1133; Black Hills State University 965/1135.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rocky Mountain College 18/24; Black Hills State University 18/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RMC - Test optional; Black Hills State University - Test optional.
  • Accepted freshman RMC students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22).
  • Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than RMC (69.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.6% at RMC vs. 30.1% at Black Hills State University.

RMC vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RMC 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).

  • Rocky Mountain College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Black Hills State University's (28%).
  • Graduates from Rocky Mountain College earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Black Hills State University graduates have a $522 lower median loan debt than RMC graduates ($25,478 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Black Hills State University graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RMC graduates ($263 vs. $268).
  • More RMC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Black Hills State University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 62%)

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.