Black Hills State University ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
Quick answer
USACollegeData.com ROI analysis (College Scorecard data): four years at Black Hills State University costs about $36,000 in in-state tuition, and graduates earn a median of $38,927 five years after graduation — the investment breaks even in roughly 9.2 years (20-year ROI: 118%).
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$36,000
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$3,927/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
9.2 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
118%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Black Hills State University's in-state tuition costs $9,000. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $40,957. Five years after graduation, earnings decrease to $38,927, but increase to $46,674 after ten years. The median debt for graduates is $26,000, and 29.6% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings, is approximately 0.63. This indicates that the median debt is about 63% of the first-year earnings.
To calculate the break-even point, we can estimate the time it takes for the additional earnings from a degree to offset the cost of tuition. Assuming a simple model where the tuition cost is the only expense, and using the one-year earnings, the break-even point is less than one year.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$9,000
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$38,927
Graduation Rate
42%
Receive Financial Aid
30%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,794 | 444% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $45,373 | 476% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $38,062 | 70% |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | $36,741 | -3% |
| Biology, General | $0 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $31,808 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $43,872 | 393% |
| Design and Applied Arts | $0 | N/A |
| Curriculum and Instruction | $0 | N/A |
| Special Education and Teaching | $43,683 | 382% |
Peer Comparison
118%
20yr ROI
154%
20yr ROI
172%
20yr ROI
89%
20yr ROI
134%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.