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Black Hills State University

Black Hills State University is based in the town of Spearfish, SD — a public campus in a small-town setting.

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

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Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$12,475

family income
under $30k

$13,564

$30–48k

$17,864

$48–75k

$19,145

$75–110k

$19,987

over $110k

Average net price

$15,9112023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Black Hills State University rose from $12,552 (2008) to $15,911 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$12,552
2009	$13,140
2010	$13,643
2011	$14,965
2012	$13,407
2013	$13,706
2014	$14,953
2015	$15,793
2016	$15,839
2017	$16,073
2018	$16,641
2019	$16,961
2020	$16,448
2021	$17,111
2022	$17,001
2023	$15,911

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$21,2772024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Black Hills State University rose from $15,307 (2009) to $21,277 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$15,307
2010	$16,164
2011	$16,680
2012	$18,027
2013	$15,906
2014	$17,034
2015	$18,430
2016	$19,029
2017	$19,197
2018	$19,777
2019	$20,033
2020	$20,937
2021	$20,377
2022	$20,843
2023	$21,343
2024	$21,277

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition — data
Year	In-state	Out-of-state
2000	$3,630	$7,846
2001	$3,994	$8,226
2002	$4,193	$8,726
2003	$5,742	$9,420
2004	$4,819	$9,985
2005	$5,070	$10,390
2006	$5,334	$6,605
2007	$5,803	$7,123
2008	$6,269	$12,411
2013	$7,617	$9,617
2014	$7,617	$10,097
2015	$8,004	$10,586
2016	$8,004	$10,920
2017	$8,602	$11,602
2018	$8,733	$11,778
2019	$9,009	$12,155
2020	$8,672	$11,742
2021	$9,000	$12,100
2022	$9,000	$12,100
2023	$9,000	$12,100

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Black Hills State University reports published tuition by residency: $8,764 in-state versus $11,866 out-of-state — a $3,102 gap that makes state lines part of the decision. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Black Hills State University reports 1,928 undergraduates. This count does not measure class size or advising access.

42.6% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Black Hills State University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

42.6%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Black Hills State University rose from 22.1% (entered 1991) to 42.6% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	22.1%
1992 cohort	44.2%
1993 cohort	41.7%
1994 cohort	38.2%
1995 cohort	28.1%
1996 cohort	26.1%
1997 cohort	26.6%
1998 cohort	25.3%
1999 cohort	22.2%
2000 cohort	23.5%
2001 cohort	22.1%
2002 cohort	31.5%
2003 cohort	29.7%
2004 cohort	29.3%
2005 cohort	28.6%
2006 cohort	37.8%
2007 cohort	33.5%
2008 cohort	33%
2009 cohort	36.1%
2010 cohort	38.9%
2011 cohort	35.3%
2012 cohort	34.3%
2013 cohort	37.7%
2014 cohort	39.3%
2015 cohort	42.5%
2016 cohort	44.3%
2017 cohort	38.6%
2018 cohort	42.6%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$11,850	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$12,880	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$13,937	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$14,375	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$14,385	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$15,050	$2,750
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$15,656	$3,312
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$16,250	$3,313
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$16,688	$3,312
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$16,500	$3,313
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$16,220	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$16,285	$5,238
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$19,040	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$21,125	$5,787
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$23,038	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$23,673	$6,700
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$25,000	$6,700
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$25,119	$7,700
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$25,102	$8,700
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$25,500	$7,200
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$26,000	$7,749
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$25,000	$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$25,000	$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$26,000	$11,000

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$38,927

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$42,393

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$46,674

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Black Hills State University admitted 1,628 of 1,690 applicants in Fall 2024. The 96.3% rate describes that application pool.

96.3%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $9,000 in-state tuition · 2023–24 1,928 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 965–11351600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Black Hills State University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Black Hills State University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 465–565 and Math was 500–570 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 965–1135 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	465	530	565
SAT Math	500	530	570
ACT Composite	18	21	24

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Black Hills State University received 1,690 applications and admitted 1,628 (96.3%), with 490 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

96.3%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	54%
Fall 2002	94.6%
Fall 2003	87.2%
Fall 2004	92.9%
Fall 2005	68.7%
Fall 2006	93.9%
Fall 2007	91%
Fall 2008	93.5%
Fall 2009	70%
Fall 2010	89.3%
Fall 2011	94.2%
Fall 2012	91%
Fall 2013	89.2%
Fall 2014	94.1%
Fall 2015	84%
Fall 2016	79.8%
Fall 2017	87%
Fall 2018	88.3%
Fall 2019	83.9%
Fall 2020	97.1%
Fall 2021	97.3%
Fall 2022	96.6%
Fall 2023	94.4%
Fall 2024	96.3%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

965–1135Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2013	853	1229
Fall 2014	860	1056
Fall 2015	858	1055
Fall 2016	880	1100
Fall 2017	893	1216
Fall 2018	958	1180
Fall 2019	970	1170
Fall 2020	1038	1203
Fall 2021	970	1150
Fall 2022	970	1085
Fall 2024	965	1135

IPEDS Fall 2013–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

18–24Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	18	23
Fall 2002	18	23
Fall 2003	18	23
Fall 2004	18	23
Fall 2005	18	23
Fall 2006	18	23
Fall 2007	19	24
Fall 2008	18	23
Fall 2009	19	23
Fall 2010	18	23
Fall 2011	19	23
Fall 2012	18	23
Fall 2013	19	23
Fall 2014	18	22
Fall 2015	19	23
Fall 2016	19	24
Fall 2017	18	24
Fall 2018	18	24
Fall 2019	18	24
Fall 2020	18	24
Fall 2021	18	23
Fall 2022	18	24
Fall 2023	18	23
Fall 2024	18	24

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

1,928Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Black Hills State University fell from 3,208 (Fall 2002) to 1,928 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	3,208
Fall 2003	3,402
Fall 2004	3,170
Fall 2005	3,173
Fall 2006	3,141
Fall 2007	3,042
Fall 2008	3,102
Fall 2009	3,215
Fall 2010	3,440
Fall 2011	3,311
Fall 2012	3,181
Fall 2013	3,156
Fall 2014	2,910
Fall 2015	2,849
Fall 2016	2,770
Fall 2017	2,736
Fall 2018	2,563
Fall 2019	2,416
Fall 2020	2,243
Fall 2021	2,042
Fall 2022	1,933
Fall 2023	1,935
Fall 2024	1,928

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

72%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Black Hills State University rose from 56% (Fall 2002) to 72% (Fall 2023).

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	56%
Fall 2003 cohort	53%
Fall 2004 cohort	55%
Fall 2005 cohort	55%
Fall 2006 cohort	59%
Fall 2007 cohort	57%
Fall 2008 cohort	62%
Fall 2009 cohort	64%
Fall 2010 cohort	61%
Fall 2011 cohort	61%
Fall 2012 cohort	59%
Fall 2013 cohort	63%
Fall 2014 cohort	63%
Fall 2015 cohort	63%
Fall 2016 cohort	69%
Fall 2017 cohort	62%
Fall 2018 cohort	62%
Fall 2019 cohort	65%
Fall 2020 cohort	61%
Fall 2021 cohort	71%
Fall 2022 cohort	72%
Fall 2023 cohort	72%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about Black Hills State University

Faculty pay at Black Hills State University averages $101,160 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Black Hills State University as a primarily residential campus of 1,928 undergraduates — and 71.7% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Black Hills State University's SAT section-percentile sums are 965–1135 — their midpoint is below the SD four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Black Hills State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Black Hills State University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Black Hills State University96.3%

South Dakota median84.6%

National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Black Hills State University$8,764

South Dakota median$10,077

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Black Hills State University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Black Hills State University$46,674

South Dakota median$51,926

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Black Hills State University, South Dakota and national reference values
Metric & basis	Black Hills State University	South Dakota median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	96.3%	84.6%	76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$8,764	$10,077	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$46,674	$51,926	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Black Hills State University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Black Hills State University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 12 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	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

These 12 fields listed for Black Hills State University measure earnings after completion. The $46,674 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 23 additional Black Hills State University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Black Hills State University report?

Black Hills State University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 965–1135 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Black Hills State University's acceptance rate?

96.3% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 1,628 admitted from 1,690 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 earnings data does Black Hills State University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $46,674. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

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: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.