Black Hills State University vs University of South Dakota
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Black Hills State University Spearfish, SD | University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Poor return | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | -72% | +98% |
| 10-year net gain | $-52,949 | $85,821 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $47,017 | $62,385 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $46,588 | $47,584 |
| Average net price | $15,911 | $19,858 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $23,592 |
| Break-even | 36.3 yrs | 5.1 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 43% | 60% |
| Admission rate | 96% | 99% |
Black Hills State University
Poor return
$-52,949 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
University of South Dakota
Strong return
+$85,821 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.