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Black Hills State University

Public

Spearfish, SD

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Black Hills State University is a public small school in Spearfish, SD, enrolling about 1,928 undergraduates. Black Hills State University is not highly selective, admitting a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate near 96%. Among reported majors, Accounting and Related Services shows the strongest outcomes -- $69,079/year in median earnings four years after graduation. On-campus housing isn't required, so many students live off campus.

Admissions

Admit rate96%
SAT range965–1135
ACT range18–24
Undergrads1,928
Yield (admits who enroll)32%
Next deadlineNot reported

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$21,277
4-year grad rate40%
Median earnings, 10yr out$46,674

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

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See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what Black Hills State University weighs in your application

Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans28%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out62%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biology, General$40,967/yr
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Accounting and Related Services$69,079/yr
Business Administration, Management and Operations$59,626/yr
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Communication and Media Studies$45,537/yr
Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$52,883/yr
Special Education and Teaching$48,332/yr
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$44,958/yr
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$55,622/yr
Psychology
Psychology, General$42,417/yr
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Community Organization and Advocacy$42,781/yr
Social Sciences
Sociology$49,833/yr
Visual and Performing Arts
Design and Applied Arts$29,733/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity826
Typical room charge$3,680
Typical board charge$3,848

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankRequired
RecommendationsNot considered

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What is Black Hills State University's acceptance rate?

Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD admits approximately 96% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for Black Hills State University?

Admitted students at Black Hills State University typically score between 965–1135 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for Black Hills State University?

Admitted students at Black Hills State University typically score between 18–24 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does Black Hills State University cost?

Black Hills State University's total cost of attendance is reported at $21,277 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

Does Black Hills State University require students to live on campus?

No -- Black Hills State University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

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