Spearfish, SD Overview
Black Hills State University is a public 4-year college located in Spearfish, South Dakota. There are currently 1,933 undergraduates at Black Hills State and the school’s acceptance rate is 97%. The tuition at Black Hills State is $9,000 for in-state students and $12,100 for out-of-state.
University
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
1,933
Pell Grant 20%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 19%
Undergrad Students Over 25 17%
Percent Male / Female 33% / 67%
Ethnic Diversity at Black Hills State
89% White
3% Hispanic
2% Multiracial
2% American Indian / Alaska Native
1% International / Non-Citizen
1% Unknown
1% Black
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
18:1
Graduation Rate
44%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
19%
19% of graduates
Education
17%
17% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
10%
10% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
8%
8% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
7%
7% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
6%
6% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
6%
6% of graduates
Psychology
6%
6% of graduates
Social Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
English Language & Literature
4%
4% of graduates
History
4%
4% of graduates
Physical Sciences
4%
4% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
3%
3% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$22,228
$8,217
$17,111
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$22,228for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$25,328for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since Black Hills State is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at Black Hills State is $22,228 for in-state students in SD, and $25,328 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Black Hills State would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
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Black Hills State University Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Black Hills State University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Black Hills State University is 003459.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange
Black Hills State is in a state that participates in the Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange program. That means if you are a resident of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming, you may be eligible for discounted tuition at Black Hills State. Check out the full list of requirements and participating schools on their website.
Pell Grants at Black Hills State University
33% of students at Black Hills State University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Black Hills State University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Black Hills State students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Black Hills State University Financial Aid Resources
If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Black Hills State or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.bhsu.edu/admissions/pay-for-college/financial-aid/
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 605-642-6145
Admissions Snapshot
97%
21
1024 is the median SAT score and 21 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Black Hills State. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.
Is Black Hills State test-optional?
Black Hills State University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Black Hills State University?
Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Black Hills State University receive between a 18 and a 24 on their ACT, or a 940 and a 1102 on their SAT.
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Black Hills State?
Students must apply by June 1 to enroll at Black Hills State during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$46,674
Median Debt $26,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $276
Graduation Rate 44%
What is the graduation rate at Black Hills State University?
44% of students who start at Black Hills State University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 14% less than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Black Hills State University go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Black Hills State University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $46,674. This is $3,717 less than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Black Hills State take out in loans?
Graduates of Black Hills State have to take out a median of $26,000 in federal student loans. This is $12,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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