Sonoma State University vs. Black Hills State University

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

Sonoma State University Black Hills State University
Location Rohnert Park, CA Spearfish, SD
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 6,637 3,425
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #675 #1006
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sonoma.edu bhsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Sonoma State University Black Hills State University
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $7,700
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $10,800
Room & Board $14,926 $7,528
Avg Net Price $15,507 $16,782
Avg Grant Aid $7,287 $4,986
% Receiving Grant Aid 77% 100%

Admission

Sonoma State University Black Hills State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,806 1,579
Admitted 10,158 1,526
Acceptance Rate 94% 96.6%
Enrolled % 9.5% 31.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.22
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 18/24
SAT Range 950/1150 970/1085
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Sonoma State University Black Hills State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

Sonoma State University Black Hills State University
Graduation Rate 57% 28%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,300 $38,800
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,500 $25,478
Median Loan Payment $180 $263

Diversity

Sonoma State University Black Hills State University
% Men 37% 37%
% Women 63% 63%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 48% 83%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 29% 5%
% Native American 1% 4%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 4%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Sonoma State University Black Hills State University
% In-State 97% 57%
% Out-of-State 3% 42%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Sonoma State University is larger than than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (6,637 students vs. 3,425 students)

Sonoma State University vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Black Hills State University is 34.1% more expensive to attend than Sonoma State University for in-state tuition ($7,700.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 63.2% higher at Sonoma State University than Black Hills State University ($17,622.00 vs. $10,800.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sonoma State University than Black Hills State University ($15,507 vs. $16,782)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 98.3% lower than costs at Sonoma State University ($7,528 vs. $14,926)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Black Hills State University than Sonoma State University (100% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sonoma State University students is 46.1% larger than aid received Black Hills State University ($7,287 vs. $4,986)

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

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

  • The average SAT score at Sonoma State University (996) is 8 points higher than at Black Hills State University (988)
  • Incoming Sonoma State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Black Hills State University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22)
  • Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.6%) than Sonoma State University (94%)

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

Which is better, Sonoma 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 Sonoma State University.

  • The graduation rate at Sonoma State University is higher than Black Hills State University (57% vs. 28%)
  • Graduates from Sonoma State University earn on average $10,500 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates after ten years. ($49,300 vs. $38,800)
  • Sonoma State University students graduate with a $7,978 lower median federal student loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates. ($17,500 vs. $25,478)
  • Sonoma State University graduates are paying $83 less per month on federal student loans than Black Hills State University graduates. ($180 vs. $263)
  • More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Black Hills State University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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