Black Hills State University (BHSU) vs South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Black Hills State University and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, both esteemed institutions in South Dakota, offer distinct educational experiences. Black Hills State, nestled in the scenic Black Hills, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring students. In contrast, South Dakota School of Mines, located in the vibrant city of Rapid City, maintains a more selective admissions process. While Black Hills State excels in liberal arts and education programs, South Dakota School of Mines shines in engineering and technology fields. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and additional program offerings, to determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Black Hills State University |
![]() South Dakota School of Mines and Technology |
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Overview |
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Location | Spearfish, South Dakota | Rapid City, South Dakota |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | City: Small |
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% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 97.3% | 80.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
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Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
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SAT range | 970 - 1150 | 1155 - 1355 |
ACT range | 18 - 23 | 24 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 6.0% | 26.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 79.0% | 84.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,382 | 1,445 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,344 | 1,163 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 452 | 489 |
Yield rate | 33.6% | 42.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$22,100
Out of state:
$25,200
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In state:
$29,330
Out of state:
$33,750
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Average net price | $15,895 | $19,257 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,700
Out of state:
$10,800
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In state:
$7,820
Out of state:
$12,240
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$3,680
Meal plan:
$3,622
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Room/dormitory:
$4,060
Meal plan:
$4,080
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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 |
83.0%
Average amount $5,895 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
58.0%
Average amount $4,966 |
52.0%
Average amount $4,907 |
Students taking out private loans |
11.0%
Average amount $9,709 |
13.0%
Average amount $12,435 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,346
Men 36.8% Women 63.2% |
2,083
Men 76.4% Women 23.6% |
Graduate students |
193
Men 34.2% Women 65.8% |
333
Men 76.3% Women 23.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 63.0% |
International students | 1.5% | 5.3% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 811 | 1,082 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | South Dakota Colorado Minnesota Nebraska Wyoming |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 42.5% | 52.3% |
Dropout rate | 55.3% | 35.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | 7.2% |
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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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Geological/Geophysical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
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