Black Hills State University
Spearfish, SD · Public · offers Graduate degrees
96%Acceptance rate
$15,911Average net price / year
43%Graduation rate
$46,674Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$26,000Median debt at graduation
1,928Undergraduates
Cost
- In-state tuition & fees
- $8,764
- Out-of-state tuition
- $11,866
- Total cost of attendance
- $21,277
- Room & board
- $12,160
- Books & supplies
- $1,092
- Average net price
- $15,911
Net price by family income
- $0–30k
- $11,863
- $30–48k
- $13,379
- $48–75k
- $15,588
- $75–110k
- $18,072
- $110k+
- $18,604
Admissions
- Acceptance rate
- 96.3%
- Average SAT
- 1087
- SAT reading (25–75%)
- 465–565
- SAT math (25–75%)
- 500–570
- ACT composite (25–75%)
- 18–24
Outcomes
- Graduation rate
- 43%
- First-year retention
- 72%
- Median earnings (6 yrs)
- $38,927
- Median earnings (10 yrs)
- $46,674
- Median debt (graduates)
- $26,000
- 3-year loan default rate
- 0.0%
- Students with Pell grants
- 20%
- Students with federal loans
- 28%
Programs: what graduates earn
20 of 73 programs have published earnings or debt data. Earnings are median salaries of graduates one year after completing the program (or the latest available year).
Undergraduate certificate
| Program | Graduates | Earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies | 6 | $45,937 | — |
| Sociology | 9 | $51,562 | — |
Associate's degree
| Program | Graduates | Earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 16 | $40,193 | — |
| Biology, General | 21 | $60,349 | $12,000 |
Bachelor's degree
| Program | Graduates | Earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Education and Teaching | 6 | $49,134 | $23,351 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 41 | $47,978 | $23,594 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 14 | $47,494 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 82 | $45,682 | $27,000 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | 21 | $39,092 | $27,375 |
| Psychology, General | 20 | $35,996 | $27,000 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 26 | $34,142 | $23,000 |
| Biology, General | 27 | $33,518 | $24,764 |
| Design and Applied Arts | 6 | $31,022 | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 9 | $35,921 | — |
| Accounting and Related Services | 4 | $69,079 | — |
| Sociology | 9 | $49,833 | — |
Master's degree
| Program | Graduates | Earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 17 | $54,120 | $27,500 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 5 | $52,499 | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 12 | $53,793 | — |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 7 | $73,150 | — |
Students
- Undergraduates
- 1,928
- Graduate students
- 650
- Part-time
- 19%
- Women / men
- 66% / 34%
- White
- 67%
- Hispanic
- 5%
- Black
- 2%
- Asian
- 1%
- International
- 2%
Faculty & school
- Student–faculty ratio
- 17:1
- Avg faculty salary
- $75,870 / year
- Full-time faculty
- 66%
- Accreditor
- Higher Learning Commission
- Website
- www.bhsu.edu
- Also known as
- BHSU
Most popular fields
- Communication & Journalism – 3% of degrees
- Education – 11% of degrees
- English – 3% of degrees
- Liberal Arts & General Studies – 7% of degrees
- Biological Sciences – 15% of degrees
- Parks, Recreation & Fitness – 7% of degrees
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at Black Hills State University?
96.3% of applicants were admitted, and admitted students averaged 1087 on the SAT.
How much does Black Hills State University cost?
The average net price after grants is $15,911 per year; in-state tuition and fees are $8,764 and the full cost of attendance is $21,277.
How much do Black Hills State University graduates earn?
Students who enrolled earn a median of $46,674 ten years later. See the program table above for salaries by major.
What is the graduation rate?
43% of first-time, full-time students graduate within 150% of normal time.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release.