Black Hills State University (BHSU) vs MSU-Northern
Black Hills State University and Montana State University-Northern, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences to students seeking a transformative college journey. Black Hills State, nestled in the picturesque Black Hills of South Dakota, boasts a welcoming community and a strong focus on undergraduate education. Montana State University-Northern, located in the vibrant town of Havre, Montana, prides itself on its commitment to academic excellence and personalized attention. While both universities share a dedication to student success, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Black Hills State University |
![]() Montana State University-Northern |
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Overview |
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Location | Spearfish, South Dakota | Havre, Montana |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | Town: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 61.0% | 70.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 97.3% | 100.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
|
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$30
|
SAT range | 970 - 1150 | N/A |
ACT range | 18 - 23 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 6.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 79.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 1,382 | 604 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,344 | 604 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 452 | 189 |
Yield rate | 33.6% | 31.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | |
High school GPA | Required | N/A |
Recommendation letters | Not required | N/A |
High school transcript | Required | N/A |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | N/A |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$22,100
Out of state:
$25,200
|
In state:
$18,255
Out of state:
$30,965
|
Average net price | $15,895 | $10,954 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,700
Out of state:
$10,800
|
In state:
$4,496
Out of state:
$17,096
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$3,680
Meal plan:
$3,622
|
Room/dormitory:
$2,470
Meal plan:
$4,050
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
89.0%
Average amount $4,736 |
92.0%
Average amount $6,857 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
58.0%
Average amount $4,966 |
45.0%
Average amount $4,649 |
Students taking out private loans |
11.0%
Average amount $9,709 |
1.0%
Average amount $11,383 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,346
Men 36.8% Women 63.2% |
1,008
Men 57.8% Women 42.2% |
Graduate students |
193
Men 34.2% Women 65.8% |
42
Men 23.8% Women 76.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 1.5% | N/A |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 811 | 300 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
|
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 42.5% | 31.3% |
Dropout rate | 55.3% | 67.3% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Community Organization and Advocacy (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Associate's Degrees)
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