Presentation College vs Black Hills State University (BHSU)
Presentation College and Black Hills State University, both esteemed institutions in South Dakota, offer distinct educational experiences. Presentation College, a private Catholic college, boasts a 100% acceptance rate, welcoming students from diverse backgrounds. Black Hills State University, a public university, has a slightly more selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 88%. While Presentation College excels in nursing and education programs, Black Hills State University offers a wider range of majors, including popular choices like business, education, and health sciences. With a predominantly female student body, Presentation College fosters a close-knit community, while Black Hills State University's larger and more diverse student population provides a vibrant campus atmosphere. Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with Presentation College achieving a 48% four-year graduation rate and Black Hills State University achieving a 38% four-year graduation rate. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about your higher education journey.
|
![]() Black Hills State University |
![]() Presentation College |
---|---|---|
Overview |
||
Location | Spearfish, South Dakota | Aberdeen, South Dakota |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | Town: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 61.0% | 51.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
|
||
Admission |
||
Acceptance rate | 97.3% | 93.7% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
|
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$35
|
SAT range | 970 - 1150 | 850 - 1100 |
ACT range | 18 - 23 | 17 - 22 |
Students submitting SAT score | 6.0% | 12.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 79.0% | 34.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,382 | 638 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,344 | 598 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 452 | 99 |
Yield rate | 33.6% | 16.6% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
|
||
Tuition and Fees |
||
Sticker price |
In state:
$22,100
Out of state:
$25,200
|
$37,395 |
Average net price | $15,895 | $27,204 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,700
Out of state:
$10,800
|
$21,626 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$3,680
Meal plan:
$3,622
|
Room/dormitory:
$6,620
Meal plan:
$3,810
|
Available payment plans |
|
|
|
||
Financial Aid |
||
Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
89.0%
Average amount $4,736 |
99.0%
Average amount $8,573 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
58.0%
Average amount $4,966 |
56.0%
Average amount $3,074 |
Students taking out private loans |
11.0%
Average amount $9,709 |
16.0%
Average amount $7,398 |
|
||
Students and Campus |
||
Undergraduate students |
3,346
Men 36.8% Women 63.2% |
553
Men 41.4% Women 58.6% |
Graduate students |
193
Men 34.2% Women 65.8% |
24
Men 16.7% Women 83.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
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 | 298 |
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 |
|
|
Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
|
||
Outcome |
||
Graduation rate | 42.5% | 34.6% |
Dropout rate | 55.3% | 2.0% |
Transferred out | N/A | 62.4% |
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)
|
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
|
Compare Similar Colleges
The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing
statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you
don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page.
There, you can search for the
specific colleges and initiate your comparison.














































































































