Black Hills State University Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Spearfish, SD
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Black Hills State University Admission Overview

Black Hills State University admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Black Hills State University admitted 96.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 965-1135 / ACT 18-24. Black Hills State University is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Black Hills State University is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Black Hills State University Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

96.3%

Admission Standards

Very Easy

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Black Hills State University acceptance rate is 96.3%. Last year, 1,628 of 1,690 applicants were admitted. That is the 9th lowest acceptance rate in South Dakota.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Black Hills State University and can you get accepted?

Black Hills State University is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

30% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Black Hills State University GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.22*

Typical High School Grades

B+

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.22*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Black Hills State University has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.22 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. Black Hills State University is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.2 GPA range.

*3.22 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

Black Hills State University SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

965-1135

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 465
Math 500
Composite 965

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 565
Math 570
Composite 1135

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Black Hills State University typically score around a 1050 SAT (middle 50% 965–1135) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 49th percentile nationally. Black Hills State University ranks #8 in the state of South Dakota for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 965 to 1135

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Black Hills State University is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1050 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Black Hills State University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1135+	Above 75th	>98%
1050 to 1135	Avg +	96%-98%
965 to 1050	Avg -	93%-96%
Below 965	Below mid-50	<93%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Black Hills State University ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

18-24

Freshmen reporting ACT

66%

25th Percentile Scores

English 17
Math 16
Composite 18

75th Percentile Scores

English 23
Math 24
Composite 24

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Black Hills State University typically have around a 21 ACT (mid-50 18–24) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 57th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Black Hills State University places #6 among colleges in South Dakota for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 18 to 24

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Black Hills State University without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 21.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Black Hills State University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
24+	Above 75th	>98%
21 to 24	Avg +	96%-98%
18 to 21	Avg -	93%-96%
Below 18	Below mid-50	<93%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Black Hills State University chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Black Hills State University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	1,150	540	1,690
Accepted	1,105	523	1,628
Acceptance Rate	96%	97%	96%
Enrolled	336	154	490
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	30%	29%	30%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Black Hills State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Black Hills State University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Required to be considered for admission
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Black Hills State University is $20.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Black Hills State University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Black Hills State University is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 96.3% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (965-1135); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025