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.
Black Hills State University logo

Black Hills State University

Montana State University-Northern logo

Montana State University-Northern

Overview

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%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

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

Tuition and Fees

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
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

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

Students and Campus

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

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Education
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Psychology
  • Automotive Technology
  • Education
  • Health Professions
  • Agriculture
  • Liberal Arts
Students to faculty ratio 17:1 14:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome

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)
  • Year 1: $37,943
  • Year 2: $40,768
  • Year 3: $42,268
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $36,857
  • Year 2: $40,768
  • Year 3: $40,091
Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,787
  • Year 2: $41,725
  • Year 3: $40,061
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $36,708
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: $39,098
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $36,641
  • Year 2: $36,914
  • Year 3: $38,083
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $25,611
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: $35,921
Community Organization and Advocacy (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $29,934
  • Year 2: $33,138
  • Year 3: $32,359
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,162
  • Year 2: $27,295
  • Year 3: $25,186
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,294
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $45,515
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,917
  • Year 2: $66,461
  • Year 3: $64,057
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,578
  • Year 2: $55,286
  • Year 3: $61,754
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $57,860
  • Year 3: $61,499
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $51,607
  • Year 3: $52,750
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,870
  • Year 2: $39,369
  • Year 3: $36,394
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,097
  • Year 2: $32,925
  • Year 3: $33,261
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: N/A
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $33,282
  • Year 2: $36,134
  • Year 3: N/A
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $35,060
  • Year 3: N/A

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