Valley City State University vs. Black Hills State University

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

Valley City State University Black Hills State University
Location Valley City, ND Spearfish, SD
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,658 3,425
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #689 #1006
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website vcsu.edu bhsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Valley City State University Black Hills State University
Tuition (In State) $6,619 $7,700
Tuition (Out of State) $11,583 $10,800
Room & Board $6,957 $7,528
Avg Net Price $12,164 $16,782
Avg Grant Aid $7,525 $4,986
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Valley City State University Black Hills State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 429 1,579
Admitted 358 1,526
Acceptance Rate 83.4% 96.6%
Enrolled % 57.3% 31.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.31 3.22
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 18/24
SAT Range 1030/1110 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

Academics

Valley City State University Black Hills State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (54%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)
  • Human Services (4%)
  • Health Professions (4%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

Valley City State University Black Hills State University
Graduation Rate 42% 28%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,200 $38,800
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,330 $25,478
Median Loan Payment $220 $263

Diversity

Valley City State University Black Hills State University
% Men 41% 37%
% Women 59% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 83%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 6% 5%
% Native American 1% 4%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Valley City State University Black Hills State University
% In-State 69% 57%
% Out-of-State 30% 42%

Campus

Valley City 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 No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Black Hills State University is larger than than Valley City State University based on total student enrollment (3,425 students vs. 1,658 students)

Valley City State University vs. Black Hills State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Black Hills State University is 16.3% more expensive to attend than Valley City State University for in-state tuition ($7,700.00 vs. $6,619.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 7.3% higher at Valley City State University than Black Hills State University ($11,583.00 vs. $10,800.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Valley City State University than Black Hills State University ($12,164 vs. $16,782)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valley City State University are 8.2% lower than costs at Black Hills State University ($6,957 vs. $7,528)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Valley City State University as Black Hills State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Valley City State University students is 50.9% larger than aid received Black Hills State University ($7,525 vs. $4,986)

Valley City State University vs. Black Hills State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Valley City 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 Valley City State University .

  • The average SAT score at Black Hills State University (988) is 27 points higher than at Valley City State University (961)
  • Incoming Valley City State University students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at Black Hills State University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Valley City State University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Black Hills State University (3.22)
  • Black Hills State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.6%) than Valley City State University (83.4%)

Valley City State University vs. Black Hills State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Valley City 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 Valley City State University.

  • The graduation rate at Valley City State University is higher than Black Hills State University (42% vs. 28%)
  • Graduates from Valley City State University earn on average $3,400 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates after ten years. ($42,200 vs. $38,800)
  • Valley City State University students graduate with a $4,148 lower median federal student loan debt than Black Hills State University graduates. ($21,330 vs. $25,478)
  • Valley City State University graduates are paying $43 less per month on federal student loans than Black Hills State University graduates. ($220 vs. $263)
  • More Valley City State University 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/