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Black Hills State University
Black Hills State University admits nearly everyone — 96.3% of applicants. A feature, not a flaw: the page below asks whether Black Hills State University is worth attending, not whether you'll get in.
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Black Hills State University anchors the college town of Spearfish, SD, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint.
Its highest-earning path is Accounting and Related Services, where graduates median $69,079 four years out. Faculty pay averages $101,160 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 1,928 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 71.7% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 18 and 23 on the ACT composite. Put your own practice estimate on Black Hills State University's range with the ACT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Black Hills State University is test-optional — scores count when submitted, none required. Black Hills State University's submitters' middle half scored 18–23 on the ACT; read that as the stronger-tester end of the admitted class.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Composite | 18 | 20 | 23 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Black Hills State University received 1,617 applications and admitted 1,527 (94.4%), with 489 enrolling.
How Black Hills State University compares
| Black Hills State University | South Dakota median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 96.3% | 84.6% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $8,764 | $10,077 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $46,674 | $51,926 | $53,781 |
Ten years out, Black Hills State University's median earnings are $46,674 — below the South Dakota benchmark of $51,926. Weigh that against the $8,764 price above; the by-major table shows majors drive much of this gap.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Black Hills State University prices by residency: $8,764 in-state versus $11,866 out-of-state — a $3,102 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
With 1,928 undergraduates, Black Hills State University is small enough that class size and faculty access are structural, not marketing claims.
42.6% graduate within six years. Roughly 57% don't — ask a Black Hills State University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Black Hills State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $69,079 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $59,626 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $55,622 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $52,883 |
| Sociology | $49,833 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $48,332 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $45,537 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $44,958 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | $42,781 |
| Psychology, General | $42,417 |
| Biology, General | $40,967 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $29,733 |
Median earnings for these 12 Black Hills State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $46,674 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 23 additional Black Hills State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Black Hills State University?
The middle 50% of Black Hills State University's submitters earned ACT composites of 18–23; no GPA cutoff is published.
What is Black Hills State University's acceptance rate?
94.4% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 1,527 admitted from 1,617 applicants.
How much does Black Hills State University cost?
In-state tuition is $8,764; out-of-state students pay $11,866. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Black Hills State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $46,674 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in South Dakota
- Dakota State University — 88% admitted
- Northern State University — 93% admitted
- South Dakota State University — 98.3% admitted
- University of South Dakota — 98.8% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.