UNK vs. Black Hills State University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, NE with Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Nebraska at Kearney is larger than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (5,881 students vs. 3,346 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nebraska at Kearney is located in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting); Black Hills State University is in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting).
• University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Black Hills State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Nebraska at Kearney 14:1; Black Hills State University 17:1.

UNK vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNK 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 UNK ($15,576 vs. $16,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 0.3% lower than at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($12,160 vs. $12,198).
• Black Hills State University is 1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNK (about $88 more per year; $8,764.00 vs. $8,676.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.8% higher at UNK than at Black Hills State University (about $3,418 more per year; $15,284.00 vs. $11,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nebraska at Kearney than at Black Hills State University (89% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students is 61.1% larger than aid received by Black Hills State University students ($9,776 vs. $6,070).

UNK vs. Black Hills State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNK 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 UNK.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Black Hills State University (1050) is 30 points higher than at UNK (1020).
• Incoming UNK students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Black Hills State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125; Black Hills State University 965/1135.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26; Black Hills State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNK - Test optional; Black Hills State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNK Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNK students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22).
• Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than UNK (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at UNK vs. 30.1% at Black Hills State University.

UNK vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNK 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).

• University of Nebraska at Kearney's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Black Hills State University's (28%).
• Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates have a $4,228 lower median loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates ($21,250 vs. $25,478).
• Among borrowers, UNK graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Black Hills State University graduates ($219 vs. $263).
• More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Black Hills State University students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.