University of Northern Colorado vs. Black Hills State University

Deciding between University of Northern Colorado 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.

University of Northern Colorado
Black Hills State University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
  • Black Hills State University Spearfish, SD
  • Setting
  • University of Northern Colorado Small City
  • Black Hills State University Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Northern Colorado 8,869
  • Black Hills State University 3,346
  • Type
  • University of Northern Colorado Public 4 Year
  • Black Hills State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Northern Colorado #680
  • Black Hills State University #1001
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Northern Colorado -
  • Black Hills State University -
  • Status
  • University of Northern Colorado Non-profit
  • Black Hills State University Non-profit
  • Website
  • University of Northern Colorado unco.edu
  • Black Hills State University bhsu.edu
  • Team Colors
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • Black Hills State University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Northern Colorado $12,416
  • Black Hills State University $8,764
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Northern Colorado $27,266
  • Black Hills State University $11,866
  • Room & Board
  • University of Northern Colorado $16,154
  • Black Hills State University $12,160
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Northern Colorado $19,376
  • Black Hills State University $15,576
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Northern Colorado $9,992
  • Black Hills State University $6,070
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Northern Colorado 95%
  • Black Hills State University 76%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • University of Northern Colorado Calculate
  • Black Hills State University Calculate
  • Applied
  • University of Northern Colorado 11,127
  • Black Hills State University 1,690
  • Admitted
  • University of Northern Colorado 9,553
  • Black Hills State University 1,628
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Northern Colorado 85.9%
  • Black Hills State University 96.3%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Northern Colorado 13%
  • Black Hills State University 30.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Northern Colorado 1070
  • Black Hills State University 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Northern Colorado 23
  • Black Hills State University 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Northern Colorado 3.53
  • Black Hills State University 3.22
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Northern Colorado A-
  • Black Hills State University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Northern Colorado Easy
  • Black Hills State University Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • Black Hills State University
  • ACT Range
  • University of Northern Colorado 21/26
  • Black Hills State University 18/24
  • SAT Range
  • University of Northern Colorado 950/1190
  • Black Hills State University 965/1135
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Northern Colorado Test optional
  • Black Hills State University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027
  • Black Hills State University

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Northern Colorado 14:1
  • Black Hills State University 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Northern Colorado
    • General Studies (14%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Black Hills State University
    • Education (21%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Psychology (6%)

  • Outcomes

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

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Northern Colorado 32%
  • Black Hills State University 37%
  • % Women
  • University of Northern Colorado 68%
  • Black Hills State University 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Northern Colorado Medium
  • Black Hills State University Very Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • Black Hills State University No
  • % White
  • University of Northern Colorado 56%
  • Black Hills State University 83%
  • % Asian
  • University of Northern Colorado 2%
  • Black Hills State University 0%
  • % Black
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • Black Hills State University 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Northern Colorado 18%
  • Black Hills State University 5%
  • % Native American
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • Black Hills State University 4%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • Black Hills State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • Black Hills State University 4%
  • % International
  • University of Northern Colorado 1%
  • Black Hills State University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Northern Colorado 15%
  • Black Hills State University 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Northern Colorado 86%
  • Black Hills State University 55%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Northern Colorado 12%
  • Black Hills State University 44%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO with Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Northern Colorado is larger than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (8,869 students vs. 3,346 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Northern Colorado is located in Greeley, CO (Small City setting); Black Hills State University is in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting).
  • University of Northern Colorado 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 Northern Colorado 14:1; Black Hills State University 17:1.

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? 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 University of Northern Colorado ($15,576 vs. $19,376).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 24.7% lower than at University of Northern Colorado ($12,160 vs. $16,154).
  • University of Northern Colorado is 41.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Black Hills State University (about $3,652 more per year; $12,416.00 vs. $8,764.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 129.8% higher at University of Northern Colorado than at Black Hills State University (about $15,400 more per year; $27,266.00 vs. $11,866.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than at Black Hills State University (95% vs. 76%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 64.6% larger than aid received by Black Hills State University students ($9,992 vs. $6,070).

University of Northern Colorado vs. Black Hills State University Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Colorado (1070) is 20 points higher than at Black Hills State University (1050).
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Black Hills State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Colorado 950/1190; Black Hills State University 965/1135.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Colorado 21/26; Black Hills State University 18/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Northern Colorado - Test optional; Black Hills State University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027.
  • 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 (96.3%) than University of Northern Colorado (85.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at University of Northern Colorado vs. 30.1% at Black Hills State University.

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

How do outcomes compare for University of Northern Colorado 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 Northern Colorado's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Black Hills State University's (28%).
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Colorado graduates have a $3,508 lower median loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates ($21,970 vs. $25,478).
  • Among borrowers, University of Northern Colorado graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.