BHSU Academic Snapshot
Admission Selectiveness:
- Admission Rate: 96.33%. Not very selective
- SAT Average: 1060. Average SAT scores, indicating a moderately competitive applicant pool.
Tuition Overview:
- In-State Tuition: $8,916
- Out-of-State Tuition: $12,018
- Both in-state and out-of-state tuition are relatively affordable compared to national averages.
Student Population at BHSU:
- Total Enrollment: 3,346, including 1,315 online students
- 3,198 Undergraduate, 148 Graduate
- Gender Distribution: 37.3% men, 62.7% women.
- This is a lower medium-sized institution, balancing resources and a sense of community.
Graduation & Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate: 43%. Lower graduation rate, which may reflect challenges in student retention or completion.
- First-Year Retention Rate: 72%. Good retention, typical for many institutions.
Programs & Degrees Offered
- Programs Offered: 94 academic programs available.
- Online Programs: 8 programs available fully online.
- Graduate Programs: 8 graduate-level programs offered.
- Degrees Awarded: Certificate, Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's.
BHSU Overview
Black Hills State University (BHSU) is a four-year, public school located in Spearfish, SD. It is classified as Master's College and University with smaller programs by Carnegie Classification
The BHSU's tuition & fees is $8,916 for South Dakota residents and $12,018 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025. 41% of the enrolled undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $6,366.
The school has a total enrollment of 3,346 and the students to faculty ratio is 17 to 1 (5.88%).
BHSU's acceptance rate is 96.33% and the yield (enrollment rate) is 30.10%. The median SAT score is 1060 and the ACT score is 21.
BHSU ranked 4th in South Dakota Colleges rankings. Black Hills State University is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
2025 Tuition & Fees and 2026 Estimation
For undergraduate programs, the 2025 tuition & fees of Black Hills State University is $8,916 for in-state students and $12,018 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, its 2025 tuition & fees is $8,916 for in-state students and $15,849 for out-of-state students.
The estimated 2026 tuition & fees for prospective students is $8,916 for South Dakota residents and $12,018 for out-of-state students based on the current year tuition changes from last year. The estimated 2026 graduate school tuition & fees is $8,916 for South Dakota residents and $15,849 for out-of-state students.
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $8,916 | $12,018 |
|---|
| Graduate | $8,916 | $15,849 |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $8,916 | $12,018 |
|---|
| Graduate | $8,916 | $15,849 |
|---|
The estimation for 2025-2026 tuition costs is based on the cost change rates of last year.
Learning Opportunities and Campus Services
Black Hills State University offers online classes (distance learning opportunities) for both undergraduate and graduate programs. It has ROTC programs and offers teacher certification programs designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers.
Special Learning Opportunities at BHSU
| Learning Opportunities |
|---|
| ROTC | Army |
|---|
| Weekend/Evening College | Yes |
|---|
| Teacher Certification | Yes |
|---|
| Study Abroad | Yes |
|---|
| On-Campus Services |
|---|
| Academic/career counseling service | Yes |
|---|
| Employment services for students | Yes |
|---|
| Placement services for completers | Yes |
|---|
| On-campus day care for students' children | No |
|---|
Black Hills State University Directory Information
Tools for analyzing and comparing BHSU