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Black Hills State University
blue checkmark
  • 4 Year
  • SPEARFISH, SD

Report Card

grade C+
Overall Niche Grade
  1. Academics
    grade C+
  2. Value
    grade B minus
  3. Diversity
    grade B minus
  4. Campus
    grade B
  5. Athletics
    grade B
  6. Party Scene
    grade B minus
  7. Professors
    grade B minus
  8. Location
    grade B+
  9. Dorms
    grade B
  10. Campus Food
    grade B+
  11. Student Life
    grade B minus
  12. Safety
    grade B+

editorial

Black Hills State is a public university located in Spearfish, South Dakota. It is a small institution with an enrollment of 1,697 undergraduate students. The Black Hills State acceptance rate is 97%. Popular majors include Business, Elementary Education, and Biology. Graduating 42% of students, Black Hills State alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $29,900.

About

1200 UNIVERSITY ST
SPEARFISH, SD 57799
Athletic Division
NCAA Division II (with football)
Athletic Conference
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference

Black Hills State University Rankings

Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

BHSU Admissions

Acceptance Rate
97%
Application Deadline
Rolling Admissions
SAT Range
970-1150
ACT Range
18-23
Application Fee
$20
SAT/ACT
Considered but not required
High School GPA
Required
Early Decision/Early Action
No data available  

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Cost

Net Price
$15,895 / year
National
$15,523
Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
Average Total Aid Awarded
$4,736 / year
National
$7,535
Students Receiving Financial Aid
94%

Scholarship

Academics

Professors
grade B minus
Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
Student Faculty Ratio
16:1
Evening Degree Programs
Yes
88%
of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes. 40 responses
81%
of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want. 54 responses
78%
of students agree that the workload is easy to manage. 54 responses

Majors

Online

Programs Offered Entirely Online
5
Offers Online Courses
Yes
Online Certificate Programs
2
Online Associates Programs
1
Online Bachelor's Programs
2
How Students Learn
  • Mix of Online and on Campus
    28%
  • On Campus
    35%
  • Online
    37%

Students

Full-Time Enrollment
1,697 Undergrads
Part-Time Undergrads
1,649
Undergrads Over 25
17%
Pell Grant
34%
Varsity Athletes
18%
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
Based on 42 responses
  • Easy going
    64%
  • Easy going and involved
    12%
  • Clique-y
    10%
  • Alternative
    5%
  • Stoners and loners.
    5%
  • Hard-core studier
    2%
  • Outgoing
    2%

Campus Life

Freshmen Live On-Campus
No data available  
Poll
50%
of students say they don't have Greek life. 58 responses
Poll
48%
of students say varsity sports are a big part of campus life. 63 responses
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes your school?
Based on 42 responses
  • Welcoming
    43%
  • Open outdoors
    24%
  • Convenient
    17%
  • Small and old
    12%
  • Home away from home
    2%
  • no
    2%

After College

Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
$35,900 / year
National
$33,028
Graduation Rate
42%
National
49%
Employed 2 Years After Graduation
93%
National
83%
89%
of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation. 28 responses

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Black Hills State University Reviews

Rating 3.52 out of 5  631 reviews
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