Head-to-head · 2026
Black Hills State University vs University of South Dakota
Compare average net price ($15,911 at Black Hills State University; $19,858 at University of South Dakota), ROI score (7.33 vs 6.54), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($46,674 vs $51,926), and admissions selectivity (96.3% acceptance at Black Hills State University; 98.8% at University of South Dakota) 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 | University of South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.33 ✓ | 6.54 |
| Avg net price | $15,911 ✓ | $19,858 |
| 4-year avg net price | $63,644 ✓ | $79,432 |
| In-state tuition | $8,764 | $9,432 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $11,866 | $12,942 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $46,674 | $51,926 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 96.3% | 98.8% |
| Graduation rate | 42.6% | 59.9% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 71.7% | 79.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $23,592 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,928 | 5,439 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1087 | 1125 |
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 | University of South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,863 ✓ | $14,921 |
| Family income $30–48k | $13,379 ✓ | $15,942 |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,588 ✓ | $18,540 |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,072 ✓ | $21,202 |
| Family income $110k+ | $18,604 ✓ | $22,193 |
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 | University of South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 16.1% | 7.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 14.2% | 5.2% |
| Biology, General | 8.3% | 4.2% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 7.2% | 3.4% |
| Psychology, General | 4.8% | 3.6% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 3.7% | 3.8% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 4.3% | 2.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 5% | 0.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Black Hills State University reports the lower average net price by $3,947 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $15,788 difference over four years ($63,644 vs $79,432).
University of South Dakota reports $5,252 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($51,926 vs $46,674). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 71.7% at Black Hills State University and 79.3% at University of South Dakota. Median federal debt among completers is $26,000 vs $23,592, 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.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Black Hills State University vs University of South Dakota, 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 $19,858 at University of South Dakota. The annual difference of $3,947 adds up to about $15,788 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of South Dakota reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $51,926 vs $46,674 at Black Hills State University. The gap in the federal data is $5,252. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Black Hills State University is more selective at 96.3% acceptance vs 98.8% at University of South Dakota.
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.