Black Hills State University vs Oglala Lakota College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Black Hills State University comes closer — median earnings $46,674 against a $63,644 total, vs $22,517 at Oglala Lakota College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Black Hills State University | Oglala Lakota College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,911 | $1,895 |
| Total net cost | $63,644 | $3,790 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,674 | $22,517 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$97,364 | -$520,650 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Black Hills State University or Oglala Lakota College?
Oglala Lakota College, at $1,895 a year after aid versus $15,911 — a gap of $14,016 a year, or $59,854 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 Oglala Lakota College graduates earn more?
Black Hills State University graduates report a median $46,674 ten years after entry, $24,157 more than the $22,517 at Oglala Lakota College. 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 graduates more of its students?
43% of students finish at Black Hills State University, against 9% at Oglala Lakota College. 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.