Black Hills State University
#4 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota- Graduation Rate
- 40% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $46,674 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $15,911 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 96% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 18.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $18.3 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota.
Every $1 spent returns $18.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,103,686.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 40% — 29% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $18.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Black Hills State University Matters
Black Hills State University is a public university in Spearfish, SD and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,928
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Education, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Black Hills State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 96% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 965–1135. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,911 a year after grants and scholarships — 7% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $46,674 ten years after enrolling — 14% above the typical college, against $26,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.50 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 96%, Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota, is a welcoming choice for students seeking a supportive environment. This institution appeals to those interested in a variety of fields, including Business & Marketing, Education, Biology & Biomedical, Visual & Performing Arts, and Humanities. The relatively small enrollment of around 1,928 students fosters a community feel, making it easier to connect with peers and faculty alike.
Looking at post-graduation life, students at Black Hills State University can expect to earn an average of $46,674 within ten years of finishing their degree. This figure gives a sense of the earning potential for graduates, although it’s essential to consider the range of individual experiences. Affordability plays a significant role, with a net price of $15,911 after financial aid, making it accessible for a broad range of students. However, it's important to note that about 20% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating that some may come from lower-income backgrounds.
In terms of financial outcomes, graduates leave with a median debt of $26,000, which is a manageable amount for many, especially given the potential earnings. Students who tend to thrive here are those who are motivated and engaged, as evidenced by the graduation rate of 40%. This school is a fit for those who appreciate a more personalized educational environment and are ready to take advantage of the resources available to support their academic and career goals.
Rankings
- #4 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota
- #9 Best Bachelor's Programs in South Dakota
- #9 Best Master's Programs in South Dakota
- #11 Best Business Colleges in South Dakota
- #14 Best Colleges in South Dakota
- #14 Best Online Colleges in South Dakota
- #31 Best Online Bachelor's in Physical Sciences
- #31 Best Online Bachelor's in Environmental Science
Can I Get In?
How selective Black Hills State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Black Hills State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Black Hills State University, located in Spearfish, South Dakota, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,087. The graduation rate is roughly 40%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 96%
- Retention Rate
- 72%
- SAT Average
- 1087
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- SAT Range
- 965–1135
- ACT Range
- 18–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 66%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,430
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.55
- First-Gen Students
- 28%
- Applicants
- 1,579
- Admitted
- 1,526
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Black Hills State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Black Hills State University is $11,866, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,911. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,863 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,764
- Out-of-State
- $11,866
- Avg Net Price
- $15,911
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 20%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 28%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,863
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,379
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,588
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,604
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Black Hills State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Black Hills State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Black Hills State University earn a median of $46,674, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $38,927
- 8 Years
- $42,393
- 10 Years
- $46,674
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.56x
- Earning > $25K
- 60%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (82)
- 20%
- 100% (82)
- 20%
- 100% (82)
- 20%
- 100% (82)
- 20%
How Black Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Black Hills State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Black Hills State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,911/year ($63,644 total). Graduates earn $46,674 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,167,330 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,103,686 (18.3× your investment). The median debt is $26,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 40% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $63,644
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,167,330
- Net Return
- $1,103,686
- ROI Multiple
- 18.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,911
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 40%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,538,131
Top Programs
The fields Black Hills State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 22% $43,861 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 15% $30,854 early-career
- Education 11% $49,577 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 9% $36,879 early-career
- Humanities 7% $27,119 early-career
- Psychology 5% $32,432 early-career
- Social Sciences 5% $34,316 early-career
- Communications 3% $30,431 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Black Hills State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Black Hills State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Black Hills State University, located in Spearfish, South Dakota, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,087. The graduation rate is roughly 40%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Black Hills State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Black Hills State University is $11,866, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,911. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,863 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
Is Black Hills State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Black Hills State University earn a median of $46,674, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Black Hills State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Black Hills State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.50, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Black Hills State University.
- Mid-America Christian UniversityOklahoma City, OK · Close peer40% grad $46,116 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Western Colorado UniversityGunnison, CO · Close peer51% grad $46,833 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Emporia State UniversityEmporia, KS · Close peer55% grad $47,601 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Lewis-Clark State CollegeLewiston, ID · Close peer43% grad $46,001 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Maryland Eastern ShorePrincess Anne, MD · Close peer35% grad $47,697 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at CobleskillCobleskill, NY · Close peer42% grad $45,030 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Black Hills State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Black Hills State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.50, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note