Black Hills State University
Campus Identity
Black Hills State University is a small public university in Spearfish, SD. Approximately 1,928 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 96% acceptance rate. Belle Fourche Reservoir is about 16 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 13 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 61/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
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At a Glance
Black Hills State University is a small public university in Spearfish, SD. Approximately 1,928 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 96% acceptance rate. Belle Fourche Reservoir is about 16 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 13 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 61/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Campus Lifestyle
Black Hills State University is a 1,000–4,999, small-town school with NCAA D2 athletics and an active Greek scene. The campus is 13 miles from Deer Mountain Ski Resort.
Athletics
NCAA D2
Rocky Mountain Athletic
Greek Life
Active Organizations
Fraternities & sororities present
School Size & Setting
1,000–4,999
Town setting
Weather
Cold Climate
39°F avg school-year
Ski Town
Black Hills State University students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Deer Mountain Ski Resort, 13 miles away with 4 lifts and 500 skiable acres. All are within 167 miles of campus.
South Dakota
South Dakota
Wyoming
Nearby Lake
Belle Fourche Reservoir is 16 miles from campus, giving Black Hills State University students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.
Belle Fourche Reservoir
Lake access within 15.9 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Spearfish, SD
Spearfish has a cool climate, with winters averaging 26°F in Jan and summers peaking around 71°F in Jul.
Station: SPEARFISH · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
Black Hills State University in SD earns a composite safety score of 61/100, rated Pretty Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $8,764 | $11,866 |
| Fees | $1,300 | $1,300 |
| Room & Board | $7,556 | $7,556 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $17,620 | $20,722 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
73 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Black Hills State University located?
Black Hills State University is located in Spearfish, SD. The main campus address is 1200 University St, Spearfish, SD. It is a public institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at Black Hills State University?
Black Hills State University has an acceptance rate of 96%, making it accessible. Out of 1,690 applicants, 1,628 were admitted in the most recent year. 1,928 students enrolled.
What ACT score do you need for Black Hills State University?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at Black Hills State University scored between 18 and 24 on the ACT, with a median of 21. About 66% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.
How much does it cost to attend Black Hills State University?
For the 2024-25 academic year, Black Hills State University charges $8,764/year for in-state students and $11,866/year for out-of-state students. Including room and board ($7,556/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $12,100/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $15,911/year — what students actually pay. Use Black Hills State University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
What is the application fee for Black Hills State University?
The undergraduate application fee at Black Hills State University is $20. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.
Does Black Hills State University have college sports?
Yes — Black Hills State University competes at the NCAA D2 level in the Rocky Mountain Athletic. Division II programs offer athletic scholarships and competitive sports programs while balancing academics and athletics.
Is Black Hills State University the right fit for me?
Whether Black Hills State University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (96% admit rate), avg net price ($15,911/year after aid), campus culture in Spearfish, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Black Hills State University against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Black Hills State University directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Public
- Location
- Spearfish, SD
- Size
- 1,000–4,999
- Degrees Offered
- Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Certificates
- NCAA
- NCAA D2
- Conference
- Rocky Mountain Athletic
- School Year Weather
- Cold · 39°F avg
- App Fee
- $20
- On Campus Safety Score
- 61/100
- Nearest Airport
- Rapid City, SD (RCA) · 45 mialso RAP (51 mi), GCC (83 mi)
Location
Spearfish, SD