Black Hills State Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Black Hills State University is a public research university in Spearfish, South Dakota, enrolling about 1,928 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 96.33% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $46,674 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $8,764
- 2024 Average Net Price: $15,911 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 96.33% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 1,928 80.8% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 42.63%
- Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus
- First-Generation Students: 28.4%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 0.6% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 66.1%
- Average SAT Score: 1087
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,966
- Applicants (IPEDS): 1,617
- Room & Board: $12,160 annual estimate
Black Hills State University: what the data shows
Common questions about Black Hills State University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Black Hills State University?
Black Hills State University is located in Spearfish, SD (ZIP 57799-9500).
NCES locale classification: Town distant.
Is Black Hills State University public or private?
Black Hills State University is a Public institution.
How much does Black Hills State University cost?
Published tuition: $8,764 in-state, $11,866 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $15,911.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $11,863 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $13,379 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $15,588 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $18,072 |
| $110,001+ | $18,604 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $35,056.
How hard is it to get into Black Hills State University?
Admission rate: 96.33%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1087 and midpoint ACT 21.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Black Hills State University?
Total enrollment: 1,928 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 4,966 students.
Graduate enrollment: 148 students.
About 81% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Black Hills State University?
150%-time completion rate: 42.63%.
First-year retention: 71.7%.
What do graduates of Black Hills State University earn?
Median earnings: $38,927 six years after entry; $46,674 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $26,000.
20.01% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Black Hills State University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (69 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (37 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (35 completions)
- General Studies (33 completions)
- Psychology, General (30 completions)
- Sport and Fitness Administration/Management (25 completions)
- Community Organization and Advocacy (20 completions)
- Sociology, General (17 completions)
- Accounting (15 completions)
- Secondary Education and Teaching (10 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Black Hills State University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 96.33%; completion rate 42.63%; median earnings $46,674 at 10 years; net price $15,911. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$8,764
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Black Hills State University was $8,764.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$15,911
2024 Value
In 2024 Black Hills State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $15,911.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$63,644 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$15,911 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$35,056 4-Year In-State Tuition
$47,464 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$12,160 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,092 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$22,016 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$88,064 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Black Hills State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
20.01% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
27.60% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Black Hills State University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Black Hills State University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $7,617 | $9,617 | $13,407 |
| 2014 | $7,617 | $10,097 | $13,706 |
| 2015 | $8,004 | $10,586 | $14,953 |
| 2016 | $8,004 | $10,920 | $15,793 |
| 2017 | $8,602 | $11,602 | $15,839 |
| 2018 | $8,733 | $11,778 | $16,073 |
| 2019 | $9,009 | $12,155 | $16,641 |
| 2020 | $8,672 | $11,742 | $16,961 |
| 2021 | $9,000 | $12,100 | $16,448 |
| 2022 | $9,000 | $12,100 | $17,111 |
| 2023 | $9,000 | $12,100 | $17,001 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
96.33% Acceptance Rate
1,617 Total Applicants
1,527 Students Admitted
489 First-Time Students Enrolled
32.02% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1087
ACT Average: 21
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Black Hills State University reported total enrollment of about 1,928 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 34% male and 66% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (67.2%), Race/ethnicity unknown (18.8%), and Hispanic or Latino (5.2%). About 20.01% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 28.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
80.8% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Black Hills State University in 2024 is 1,928 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 4,966 students. Graduate enrollment is about 148 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
71.7%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 67.2%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
29.41% 100% Completion Time
42.63% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 29.41% of students graduating from Black Hills State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 49% male / 51% female
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 19% male / 81% female
- Elementary Education and Teaching: 3% male / 97% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Black Hills State University.
Return on Investment
$26,000 Median Student Debt
$46,674 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
55.71% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
633.36% Return on Investment
5.6 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Black Hills State University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 44 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 69 completions
2. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 37 completions
3. Elementary Education and Teaching: 35 completions
4. General Studies: 33 completions
5. Psychology, General: 30 completions
6. Sport and Fitness Administration/Management: 25 completions
7. Community Organization and Advocacy: 20 completions
8. Sociology, General: 17 completions
9. Accounting: 15 completions
Most popular programs at Black Hills State University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Black Hills State University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Black Hills State University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 66.1%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $8,430
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $6,388
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Black Hills State University is a public institution located in Spearfish, SD, classified as Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Elementary Education and Teaching. Enrollment is approximately 1,928 students. Student body composition includes White (67.2%), Race/ethnicity unknown (18.8%), Hispanic or Latino (5.2%). The admission rate is 96.33%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1087. The 150%-time completion rate is 42.63%. Approximately 20.01% of students receive Pell Grants. About 28.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus
Location
Spearfish, SD 57799-9500
Region: Plains
Insights and Analysis
Black Hills State University provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Black Hills State University located?
Black Hills State University is located in Spearfish, SD.
What is Black Hills State University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Black Hills State University is 96.3% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 1,617 applicants and 1,527 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Black Hills State University cost?
Reported tuition is $8,764 and average net price is $15,911 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $12,160 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Black Hills State University?
Black Hills State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 4,966 students, White (67.2%), Race/ethnicity unknown (18.8%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Black Hills State University?
About 28.4% of students at Black Hills State University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Black Hills State University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Black Hills State University reports midpoint SAT about 1087 and midpoint ACT about 21.
What do graduates of Black Hills State University earn?
Median earnings are $38,927 six years after entry and $46,674 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Black Hills State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 42.6% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Black Hills State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $26,000.
Is Black Hills State University public or private?
Black Hills State University is a public institution located in Spearfish, SD.
Is Black Hills State University an HBCU?
No. Black Hills State University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Black Hills State University a tribal college?
No. Black Hills State University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- South Dakota college costs
- South Dakota colleges by ROI
- Plains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in South Dakota
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.