Black Hills State University
- 3/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Spearfish, SD
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0 reviews
Overview
Total enrollment
3,346- Location Spearfish, South Dakota
- Website bhsu.edu
- Type Public 4 Year
- Setting Remote Town
- Size Mid-size
- Status Non-profit
- Housing Yes
- Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate
Black Hills State University sits at the northern edge of South Dakota's Black Hills region in Spearfish, positioned 50 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Rapid City. The 123-acre campus features a mix of modern and historic buildings nestled in a valley setting, with direct access to outdoor recreation areas including the Lookout Mountain trail system. Established in 1883 as a teacher training institution, BHSU has evolved into a comprehensive public university offering programs across four colleges, with particular strengths in education, natural sciences, business, and outdoor education. The university maintains a liberal admissions policy and serves as a primary higher education center for western South Dakota, with most students residing in campus housing during their first two years. Environmental science programs benefit from the campus's proximity to multiple national parks and forests, while the Yellow Jackets compete in NCAA Division II athletics.
Ratings
Black Hills State University is rated within the lower 22% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 3 out of 10.
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Overall Rating3 out of 10
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Academics3 out of 10
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Resources2 out of 10
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Outcomes3 out of 10
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Value1 out of 10
Rankings
Rankings for Black Hills State University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
Admissions
Admission Standards
- SAT (enrolled mid-50) 965/1135
- ACT (enrolled mid-50) 18/24
Acceptance Rate
- Applications Due -
- Enrollment Rate 30.1%
- Application Fee $20
Applicant Competition Very Low
Annual Cost to Attend
South Dakota Resident Tuition
$8,764Out of State Resident Tuition
$11,866Breakdown
- Tuition $8,764
- Books and Supplies $1,092
- Other Fees $1,148
- Room and Board $12,160
- Budget for Other Expenses $3,674
- Total One Year Cost $26,838
- Tuition $11,866
- Books and Supplies $1,092
- Other Fees $1,148
- Room and Board $12,160
- Budget for Other Expenses $3,674
- Total One Year Cost $29,940
Student Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
Popular majors at Black Hills State University are Education, Business, and Social Sciences. 21% of students major in Education, 18% in Business, and 10% in Social Sciences.
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Education 21%
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Business 18%
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Social Sciences 10%
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Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies 8%
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Psychology 6%
More Colleges to Consider
Students considering Black Hills State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=219046.
GPA calculator: Black Hills State University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026