Head-to-head · 2026
Black Hills State University vs Dakota State University
Compare average net price ($15,911 at Black Hills State University; $21,057 at Dakota State University), ROI score (7.33 vs 6.05), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($46,674 vs $50,970), and admissions selectivity (96.3% acceptance at Black Hills State University; 88.1% at Dakota State University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Black Hills State University | Dakota State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.33 ✓ | 6.05 |
| Avg net price | $15,911 ✓ | $21,057 |
| 4-year avg net price | $63,644 ✓ | $84,228 |
| In-state tuition | $8,764 | $9,654 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $11,866 | $12,756 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $46,674 | $50,970 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 96.3% | 88.1% |
| Graduation rate | 42.6% | 51.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 71.7% | 75.5% ✓ |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $23,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,928 | 2,071 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1087 | 1215 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Black Hills State University | Dakota State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,863 ✓ | $17,317 |
| Family income $30–48k | $13,379 ✓ | $18,792 |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,588 ✓ | $19,165 |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,072 ✓ | $22,601 |
| Family income $110k+ | $18,604 ✓ | $23,269 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Black Hills State University | Dakota State University |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 16.1% | 4.1% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 14.2% | 3.2% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 7.2% | 6.1% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 5% | 1.7% |
| Special Education and Teaching | 1.7% | 3.8% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 3.7% | 0.5% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 0.6% | 3.2% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 3% | 0.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Black Hills State University reports the lower average net price by $5,146 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $20,584 difference over four years ($63,644 vs $84,228).
Dakota State University reports $4,296 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($50,970 vs $46,674). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 71.7% at Black Hills State University and 75.5% at Dakota State University. Median federal debt among completers is $26,000 vs $23,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Black Hills State University vs Dakota State University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Black Hills State University is cheaper — average net price $15,911 per year vs $21,057 at Dakota State University. The annual difference of $5,146 adds up to about $20,584 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Dakota State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $50,970 vs $46,674 at Black Hills State University. The gap in the federal data is $4,296. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Dakota State University is more selective at 88.1% acceptance vs 96.3% at Black Hills State University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.