- Both Black Hills State University (BHSU) and Northern State University (NSU) are public.
- Both schools are located in South Dakota.
- BHSU has more expensive tuition of $12,100 than NSU ($11,947).
- BHSU has tighter acceptance rate of 86.95% than NSU (87.83%).
- BHSU has higher SAT scores of 1,030 than NSU (990).
- BHSU is larger with 3,425 students than NSU (3,344 students).
Black Hills State University View More Rivals | Northern State University View More Rivals | |
| #4 in South Dakota | Rankings | #5 in South Dakota |
| Public, 4-years | School Type | Public, 4-years |
| Spearfish, SD | Location | Aberdeen, SD |
BHSU| Known as | NSU | |
| 1 Year Certificate Associate Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's | Offered Degrees | 1 Year Certificate Associate Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's |
| Master's College and University (smaller programs) | Carnegie Classification | Master's College and University (smaller programs) |
| Tuition & Fees | ||
| $9,000 South Dakota residents $12,100 out-of-state | Undergraduate | $8,845 South Dakota residents $11,947 out-of-state |
| $8,916 South Dakota residents $15,849 out-of-state | Graduate | $6,736 South Dakota residents $11,936 out-of-state |
| $4,601 | Financial Aid | $6,261 |
| Admission | ||
| $20 undergraduate $35 graduate | Application Fee | $20 undergraduate $35 graduate |
| 86.95% | Acceptance Rate | 87.83% |
| 37.70% | Yield | 37.11% |
| 1,030 SAT, 21 ACT | Test Scores | 990 SAT, 21 ACT |
| Student Population | ||
| 3,425 | Total Students | 3,344 |
| 3,261 | Undergraduate | 2,851 |
| 164 | Graduate | 493 |
| 1,332 | Online Enrollment | 1,475 |
| Graduation Rate & Outcomes | ||
| 44% | Graduation Rate | 50% |
| Transfer-out Rate | 25% | |
| 71% | Retention Rate | 74% |
| $40,500 | Average Earning after Graduation | $37,300 |
| Special Learning Opportunities and Student Services | ||
| Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate | Distance Learning (Online Classes) | Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate |
| ROTC Study Abroad Weekend/Evening College Teacher Certifiate | Special Opportunities | Study Abroad Teacher Certifiate |
| ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 826) $3,680 average annual costs | On-Campus Living | ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 851) $4,900 average annual costs |
| Not offered or not Reported | Meal Plan | Not offered or not Reported |
| Faculties and Staffs | ||
| 18 to 1 | Students to Faculty Ratio | 16 to 1 |
| 119 Full-time 96 Part-time | Number of Faculties | 89 Full-time 42 Part-time |
| 326 Full-time 138 Part-time | Number of Staffs | 325 Full-time 54 Part-time |
| $65,584 for Faculties $53,780 Part-time | Average Salary | $67,517 for Faculties $52,378 Part-time |