About Black Hills State University

Founded in 1883, Black Hills State University. is a Public college. Located in South Dakota, which is a city setting in South Dakota, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 3,812 full time undergraduate students, and 432 full time graduate students.

The Black Hills State University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 20:1. There are 119 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Black Hills State University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate79%
Application Deadline
Application Fee20
SAT Range880-1100
ACT Range19-24

Admissions at BHSU are considered Less Selective, with ,15% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 35 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Black Hills State University.

6%
“We”re apathetic”
33%
“We know about current events and vote”
56%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
6%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
6%
“We save it for the classroom”
28%
“Sometimes, but not often”
56%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
11%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
6%
“I only go out in groups”
44%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
50%
“I feel extremely safe”
17%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
39%
“We bought the gear”
44%
“We live for the big game”
6%
“It”s not really our thing”
22%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
56%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
17%
“We”re a very artistic group”
6%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
61%
“They keep regular office hours”
33%
“They”re always available”
72%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
22%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
6%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
11%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
44%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
33%
“We only party on weekends”
11%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
28%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
50%
“There might be people who do”
22%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
6%
“We”re apathetic”
33%
“We know about current events and vote”
56%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
6%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
6%
“We save it for the classroom”
28%
“Sometimes, but not often”
56%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
11%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
6%
“I only go out in groups”
44%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
50%
“I feel extremely safe”
17%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
39%
“We bought the gear”
44%
“We live for the big game”
6%
“It”s not really our thing”
22%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
56%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
17%
“We”re a very artistic group”
6%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
61%
“They keep regular office hours”
33%
“They”re always available”
72%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
22%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
6%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
11%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
44%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
33%
“We only party on weekends”
11%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
28%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
50%
“There might be people who do”
22%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship

  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    38 Students rated on-campus housing 3.4 stars. 11 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    30 Students rated off-campus housing 3.5 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    38 Students rated campus food 3 stars. 8 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    40 Students rated campus facilities 4.2 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    40 Students rated class size 4.3 stars. 50 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    40 Students rated school activities 3.8 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    40 Students rated local services 4.2 stars. 45 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    40 Students rated academics 4 stars. 30 % gave the school a 5.0.

Black Hills State University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Black Hills State University?

19 Students rated Black Hills State University

Kellen - 04/24/2024

Black Hills State University is likely the best college in South Dakota. While it's very lively, it doesn't have the intense overwhelming class size or party scene of a college like SDSU. The RAs are extremely responsible, nearly every student I've met is very kind, and the teachers live to help you succeed. I am so glad everyday that I chose this college and think it is wildly underrated.

Kaeli - 03/08/2019

I love this college and all of the opportunities offered. The professors are super awesome! When I auditioned for their music scholarship, the music department made sure they were available and accommodated my audition time. The professors are all always there to make sure I understand the material, and to make sure I have help whenever I need it! It is a very friendly campus!

Jessica - 02/21/2019

I do enjoy my school, I just don't think it is right for what I want to study. This university has great campus life and the professors always try to make sure they are available for you. I may eventually leave to a larger or more suitable institution but I can get my Bachelors degree here so if I wanted to stay I could.

Isabelle - 01/30/2019

When I visited I saw, all sites, their apartment dwellings, cafeteria, gymnasium, field, and went to their gift shop. Everything listed is so great which interested me and I hope to go there this fall. Their apartments for on-campus are very beautiful as including a beautiful living room. Yet, I hope to stay in town in Rapid City, then to hopefully have transportation to college and back by the fall semester. Their cafeteria has a variety of food to choose from, even with their own chefs in the back making delicious food to serve to college students. I honestly love how the cafeteria looks along with their name to it, the hive! Their gymnasium and field are fit for approaching athletes, and their gift shop has everything you'd need daily and school supplies.

Black Hills State University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Black Hills State University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Black Hills State University is 79%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    Choosing the right college is an important decision students and parents need to make. My advice would be to give yourself enough time. You should never rush into picking a college. When deciding on a certain school, visit and explore what they have to offer. Another factor to consider is how far away is it from home. If you don't think you can be that far from home than reconsider because the last thing you want is to not be able to focus on school because you are home sick. After you have choosen the school of your choice you want to make sure you make the most of it. You have to remember that everyone is new and is afraid to meet new friends. Your not the only one nervous about being a freshman is school. Meet new friends and join on campus activities. It is a great way to meet new people and make memories.

    Read all 32 answers

  3. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates are intelligent, fun, and wonderful people to spend time with.

    Read all 7 answers

  4. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    All the construction on campus. My freshmen year they had to shutdown the fast food place and half of the student union so they could expand it (should be done by the fall 2009). And once they are done with the expansion of the Union, they are going to start working on a new science lab. However, the lab will be not in the center of the campus like the Union was, but I'm sure it will take up a part of the parking lot.

    Read all 6 answers

  5. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    The kind of person that shouldn't attend this school would be a person that expects to skip their classes and still pass; a person who thinks that college is just about partying. Most of all, the kind of person that shouldn't attend this University would be someone who doesn't expect to have their life transformed while engaging in an unforgettable and incredible campus experience alongside the gain of the remarkable knowledge given to help pursue their life's dream.

    Read all 6 answers

  6. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    The degree that I received, environmental biology is very desirable to employers. Also, the town of Spearfish is small and safe, but there are alot of activities especially outdoors.

    Read all 6 answers

  7. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Black Hills State University is an excellent school with a student to faculty ratio that facilitates a learning environment desirable for all students, and it is located in the Northern Black Hills where there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy.

    Read all 5 answers

  8. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    The surrounding area is beautiful. The black hills have lots of things to do.

    Read all 5 answers

  9. What's unique about your campus?

    The way the campus makes it feel like a community. It seems like everyone gets along with everyone. You could be at the library studying and a random guy or girl might strike up a convorstation. Or you could be hanging at the Union and someone will challenge you to a friendly game of fooseball or ping-pong. But, while you get to make new friends, there are a ton of people on campus so there are always more people to make friends with.

    Read all 5 answers

  10. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I wish that I had researched the school more before I went to it, because I was unaware that BHSU only provided Spanish as a minor--no other languages.

    Read all 5 answers

  11. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    In my opinion my school is known for small town kids. It seems like if you grew up around Spearfish you came to that school.

    Read all 4 answers

  12. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Someone who likes a small town atmosphere with a desire for many outdoor recreational activities. This university provides small classroom settings where students can have alot of 1 on 1 time with there professors and advisors.

    Read all 4 answers

  13. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The most frustrating thing about my school is that some teachers can not teacher the subject that they are teaching very well. This is because they think they know it but it seems like they do not and that frustrates me.

    Read all 4 answers

Student Body

Students

63%

female

37%

male

3,812

Total Undergrad Enrollment

432

Total Grad Students

34%

Out-Of-State

65%

In-State

1%

International

Organizations

N/A

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

18%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
4%
% Asian/Pacific Islander
1%
% Black or African-American
1%
% Hispanic/Latino
5%
% White or Caucasian
82%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

92% of students attending Black Hills State University receive some sort of financial aid. 37% were awarded federal grants. While 69% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$10,920

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,200

Books and Supplies

$6,695

Room and Board

18,815

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$12,502
$30 - $48K
$13,940
$48 - $75K
$16,666
$75 - $110K
$17,373
$110K & UP
$17,595

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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