University of Northern Colorado vs. Black Hills State University

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

University of Northern Colorado Black Hills State University
Location Greeley, CO Spearfish, SD
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 9,380 3,425
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #617 #1006
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unco.edu bhsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Northern Colorado Black Hills State University
Tuition (In State) $8,750 $7,700
Tuition (Out of State) $22,140 $10,800
Room & Board $12,870 $7,528
Avg Net Price $18,310 $16,782
Avg Grant Aid $8,813 $4,986
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

University of Northern Colorado Black Hills State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,107 1,579
Admitted 7,938 1,526
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 96.6%
Enrolled % 15% 31.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.22
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Moderate Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 18/24
SAT Range 990/1200 970/1085
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2024

Academics

University of Northern Colorado Black Hills State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

University of Northern Colorado Black Hills State University
Graduation Rate 46% 28%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $38,800
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,970 $25,478
Median Loan Payment $227 $263

Diversity

University of Northern Colorado Black Hills State University
% Men 31% 37%
% Women 69% 63%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 56% 83%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 18% 5%
% Native American 0% 4%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 15% 1%

Students

University of Northern Colorado Black Hills State University
% In-State 82% 57%
% Out-of-State 17% 42%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Northern Colorado is larger than than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (9,380 students vs. 3,425 students)

University of Northern Colorado vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Northern Colorado or Black Hills State University?

  • University of Northern Colorado is 13.6% more expensive to attend than Black Hills State University for in-state tuition ($8,750.00 vs. $7,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 105% higher at University of Northern Colorado than Black Hills State University ($22,140.00 vs. $10,800.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Black Hills State University than University of Northern Colorado ($16,782 vs. $18,310)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 71% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($7,528 vs. $12,870)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado as Black Hills State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 76.8% larger than aid received Black Hills State University ($8,813 vs. $4,986)

University of Northern Colorado vs. Black Hills State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Northern Colorado 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 University of Northern Colorado .

  • The average SAT score at University of Northern Colorado (1031) is 43 points higher than at Black Hills State University (988)
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Black Hills State University (21)
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22)
  • Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.6%) than University of Northern Colorado (78.5%)

University of Northern Colorado vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Northern Colorado 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 University of Northern Colorado.

  • The graduation rate at University of Northern Colorado is higher than Black Hills State University (46% vs. 28%)
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn on average $5,800 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $38,800)
  • University of Northern Colorado students graduate with a $3,508 lower median federal student loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates. ($21,970 vs. $25,478)
  • University of Northern Colorado graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than Black Hills State University graduates. ($227 vs. $263)
  • More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Black Hills State University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 62%)

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