Black Hills State University
Black Hills State University is a 4-year liberal arts institution situated on 123 acres of land in Spearfish, South Dakota. Through its three colleges, BHSU offers more than 120 majors and minors, as well as three honors tracks. Students can complete a selection of degrees at Black Hill’s satellite campus in Rapid City, or choose from the more than a dozen available online. The College of Business and Natural Science houses several centers for research, including a herbarium, and the university is also establishing the BHSU Underground Campus at Sanford Lab for multidisciplinary research. Outside of academia, the campus is near a number of tourist attractions, including Mount Rushmore, Devils Tower, and the Badlands of South Dakota, while Spearfish, SD, itself is home to Spearfish Canyon, which offers a number of opportunities for hiking, biking, and sightseeing. For students interested in seeing sights outside of the US, BHSU maintains special partnerships and agreements with institutions worldwide, including in Spain, Lithuania, Botswana, China, and Korea.
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Public
- Not for Profit
- Coed
Need Aware
This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
No
Important Deadlines
Admitted Student Stats
69%
Submitting ACT
6%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 21
Average SAT Composite: 1083
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Master's
Total Number of Students
3,425
Total Number of Undergrads
3,261
Classroom Sizes
0
100
20%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
40%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
18:1
US National: 21:1Tuition, Cost & Aid
Key Financial Stats
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $8,916 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $12,018 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $7,400 |
| Books and Supplies | $1200 |
Aid & Grants
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
20%
Average Aid Per Year
$4,986
20%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$3,162
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$3,016
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
61%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,930
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$12,680
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$239
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Student Organizations
85
Size of Town
Suburb or town
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
No
On Campus Women's Center
No
Housing
On-campus living required of freshman
Yes
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Yellow Jackets
School Colors
green and gold
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
No
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Top 5 Cities
Rapid City
Sioux Falls
Denver
Casper
Minneapolis
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$40,500
What Students Are Saying
Black Hills State is an absolutely gorgeous environment! The people and faculty here actually care and want what is best for you. This school really offers everything you need for success, a good education, and a fantastic,safe college experience.
Katrina from Johnsburg, IL
I love going to BHSU. The staff and instructors are very helpful and informative. The class sizes are built to help you learn.
Melissa from Box Elder , SD
Black Hills State University has made me feel at home. All the professors are very approachable and always there. Black Hills State University has a small campus and is very beautiful.
Casie from Spearfish, SD
Black Hills State University is a beautiful campus. It is a very laid back environment, yet there is still the sense of excitement. Black Hills State university challenges students not only to excel in school, but to find out who they really are.
Malarie from Marysville, OH
This is a beautiful campus that is currently in the makings of becoming more and more green oriented with each semester. If you enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and fishing this is the place for you. Surrounded by the gorgeous Black Hills with their red rock, hills, and trees; there;s something here for everyone.
Ashley from Scottsbluff, NE
If you are looking for a school where you can get a great education and be surrounded by 4 seasons of incredible beauty BHSU is the place to be!
You can finish class by noon and be on the mountain snowboarding by 1pm, back to study by 5pm, and in bed by whenever you want!
So many majors, but so little time makes me want to live to be 100 so I could do them all! But then again, maybe I should actually get a job and make some money with at least one major....?
You can finish class by noon and be on the mountain snowboarding by 1pm, back to study by 5pm, and in bed by whenever you want!
So many majors, but so little time makes me want to live to be 100 so I could do them all! But then again, maybe I should actually get a job and make some money with at least one major....?
The1and10
BHSU is one of the most beautiful campuses I've visited. If you're looking for a mixture of on/off campus adventure this is the place. Wonderful community as well!
Tabbie from Douglas, WY
It is a great college, in a great community. I would love to stay here if they had a nursing program but am forced to leave. I would come back for another degree.
Jordan from Gillette, WY
The teachers care about your education and your learning. But I wonder how helpful it will be when I leave college. Still, I think the program and involvement available are worth the tuition.
Meghan from Rapid City, SD
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