At a glance
Average net price
$15,911
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
42.6%
Admission rate
96%
Undergrad size
1,928
In-state tuition
$8,764
Out-of-state tuition
$11,866
Cost of attendance
$21,277
Median earnings (10y)
$46,674
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,087
- ACT midpoint
- 21
- Retention
- 71.7%
- Locale
- Town
Programs breakdown
16 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by social sciences (32%), humanities & arts (24%), business (24%).
- STEM13%
- Business24%
- Humanities & arts24%
- Social sciences32%
- Trades & services7%
- Business23.5%~454 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Education13.0%~250 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~175 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Liberal arts8.1%~156 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~156 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Psychology7.3%~142 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~132 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Social sciences6.6%~128 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~94 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- English2.7%~52 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Communication2.5%~47 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Mathematics2.2%~43 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~43 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- History1.7%~33 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~19 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~5 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 153 | $36,641 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 97 | $36,857 | $26,312 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 54 | $25,935 | $26,613 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 46 | $21,080 | $24,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 46 | $28,162 | $27,187 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate's | 39 | — | — |
| Biology, General. | Associate's | 39 | — | $14,625 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master's | 38 | $36,708 | — |
| Community Organization and Advocacy. | Bachelor's | 36 | $29,934 | $31,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor's | 34 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor's | 33 | $37,943 | — |
| History. | Bachelor's | 33 | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 26 | $25,611 | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor's | 26 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master's | 20 | $45,515 | — |
| Outdoor Education. | Bachelor's | 20 | — | — |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor's | 19 | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 19 | — | — |
| Sociology. | Bachelor's | 18 | $29,825 | $37,329 |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor's | 16 | — | — |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master's | 15 | $46,294 | — |
| Sociology. | Undergraduate certificate | 15 | — | — |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor's | 14 | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor's | 14 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor's | 13 | $38,787 | $26,812 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 13 | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Undergraduate certificate | 12 | — | — |
| Physical Sciences, Other. | Bachelor's | 12 | — | — |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Undergraduate certificate | 12 | — | — |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master's | 12 | $43,372 | — |
| Sustainability Studies. | Master's | 10 | — | — |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor's | 9 | — | — |
| Genetics. | Master's | 9 | — | — |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Undergraduate certificate | 9 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Bachelor's | 8 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 8 | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate's | 8 | — | — |
| Outdoor Education. | Undergraduate certificate | 6 | — | — |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 6 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master's | 5 | — | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Black Hills State University
Black Hills State University is a mid-sized institution located in Spearfish, South Dakota, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 1,928 undergraduate students in a town setting. The most popular fields of study include Business, Education, Biological sciences.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Black Hills State University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $15,911 per year, which is moderately priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $8,764 for in-state students and $11,866 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $21,277 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 42.6%, a average completion outcome. 71.7% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $46,674 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Black Hills State University confers degrees and certificates across 16 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Business, Education, Biological sciences. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by social sciences (32% of credentials), humanities & arts (24% of credentials), business (24% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Black Hills State University accepts 96% of applicants, making it open or near-open admission. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,087. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 21.
Location & campus
Set in Spearfish, South Dakota (town), Black Hills State University draws students from across South Dakota and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Black Hills State University
Q.How much does Black Hills State University cost?
The average net price at Black Hills State University is $15,911 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $21,277.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Black Hills State University?
Black Hills State University has a 6-year graduation rate of 42.6% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Black Hills State University?
Black Hills State University admits 96% of applicants, which is considered open or near-open admission.
Q.How much do Black Hills State University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Black Hills State University graduate earns $46,674 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Black Hills State University?
Published tuition is $8,764 in-state and $11,866 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Black Hills State University located?
Black Hills State University is located in Spearfish, South Dakota (ZIP 57799).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Black Hills State University at their official website.