Black Hills State University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 1,928 students.
About This School
Black Hills State University is a public institution located in Spearfish, South Dakota with approximately 1,928 undergraduate students enrolled. Black Hills State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 96%. The average net price after financial aid is $15,911 per year. The graduation rate is 43%, and the typical graduate earns $40,500 within 10 years of enrollment.
Black Hills State University (BHSU) is a public university in Spearfish, South Dakota, United States. Close to 4,000 students attend classes at its 123-acre (50 ha) campus in Spearfish, with a satellite campus in Rapid City which is shared with South Dakota State University, and through distance offerings. BHSU is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the affordable net price of $17,001/year and low median debt of $15,000 are genuine strengths, but a 39% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish, which means something is pushing a lot of people out the door before they cross the finish line. Worth considering if you're drawn to a small, tight-knit campus in a beautiful part of South Dakota and have a clear plan to stay on track, but go in with eyes open and ask hard questions about student support before committing.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 22% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,928 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in South Dakota
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD · Public
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD · Public
Southeast Technical College
Sioux Falls, SD · Public
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Rapid City, SD · Public
Dakota State University
Madison, SD · Public
Augustana University
Sioux Falls, SD · Private nonprofit
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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