University of West Alabama vs. Black Hills State University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of West Alabama in Livingston, AL with Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of West Alabama is larger than Black Hills State University based on total student enrollment (6,820 students vs. 3,346 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of West Alabama is located in Livingston, AL (Remote Rural setting); Black Hills State University is in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting).
• University of West Alabama 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 West Alabama 19:1; Black Hills State University 17:1.

University of West Alabama vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama 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 University of West Alabama than Black Hills State University ($13,954 vs. $15,576).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 32.3% lower than at Black Hills State University ($8,230 vs. $12,160).
• University of West Alabama is 25.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Black Hills State University (about $2,226 more per year; $10,990.00 vs. $8,764.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.3% higher at University of West Alabama than at Black Hills State University (about $8,224 more per year; $20,090.00 vs. $11,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of West Alabama than at Black Hills State University (93% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of West Alabama students is 48.9% larger than aid received by Black Hills State University students ($9,037 vs. $6,070).

University of West Alabama vs. Black Hills State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of West Alabama 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 West Alabama.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Black Hills State University (1050) is 60 points higher than at University of West Alabama (990).
• Incoming Black Hills State University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at University of West Alabama).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 860/1120; Black Hills State University 965/1135.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 16/21; Black Hills State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of West Alabama - Test optional; Black Hills State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of West Alabama Aug 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Black Hills State University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at University of West Alabama (3.16).
• Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than University of West Alabama (42.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at University of West Alabama vs. 30.1% at Black Hills State University.

University of West Alabama vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of West Alabama 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).

• The graduation rate at University of West Alabama is the same as at Black Hills State University (28% vs. 28%).
• Graduates from Black Hills State University earn a median of about $300 more per year than University of West Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,800 vs. $38,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Black Hills State University graduates have a $1,011 lower median loan debt than University of West Alabama graduates ($25,478 vs. $26,489).
• Among borrowers, Black Hills State University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of West Alabama graduates ($263 vs. $273).
• More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 36%)

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.