Black Hills State University vs Northern State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Northern State University comes closer — median earnings $47,618 against a $63,248 total, vs $46,674 at Black Hills State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Black Hills State University | Northern State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,911 | $15,812 |
| Total net cost | $63,644 | $63,248 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,674 | $47,618 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $22,320 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$97,364 | -$78,088 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Black Hills State University or Northern State University?
Northern State University, at $15,812 a year after aid versus $15,911 — a gap of $99 a year, or $396 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Black Hills State University or Northern State University graduates earn more?
Northern State University graduates report a median $47,618 ten years after entry, $944 more than the $46,674 at Black Hills State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Black Hills State University or Northern State University?
Northern State University: its completers carry a median $22,320 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Black Hills State University, a difference of $3,680. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
49% of students finish at Northern State University, against 43% at Black Hills State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.