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Spearfish , SD
Black Hills State University (BHSU) is a public university in Spearfish, South Dakota. Founded in 1883, BHSU is the third oldest university in the state and has a rich history of providing quality education to its students. With a beautiful campus located in the scenic Black Hills region, the university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in fields like business, education, arts and sciences, and health sciences.
BHSU is known for its commitment to personalized education and individual attention to students. The university boasts a low student-to-faculty ratio, allowing for more interaction between professors and students, as well as a supportive and collaborative learning environment. Students have the opportunity to engage in hands-on research, internships, and community service projects, which enhance their learning experience and prepare them for successful careers.
Apart from academics, BHSU offers various extracurricular activities, including vibrant arts and cultural programs, recreational sports, and numerous student organizations and clubs that cater to different interests. The university also boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including modern classrooms, research labs, a library, and athletic facilities. With its strong academic programs, picturesque location, and focus on student success, Black Hills State University provides a well-rounded education and fosters personal growth for its students.
Located in Spearfish, SD, Black Hills State University is a public comprehensive higher education institution. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 96%. The freshman retention rate at Black Hills State University is 72% and the six-year graduation rate is 43%.
To find out more about what Black Hills State University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
3,198
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
43%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Knowing as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission increases your chances of getting admitted. Here are the most relevant information you should know about admission at Black Hills State University.
According to the newest information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 1,628 in 2024. Black Hills State University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the applicant.
Test Scores
6% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 66% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores.
Retention Rate
The percentage of new students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for Black Hills State University was 72%, a clear indication of the excellence and value of the educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 43%.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the right fit for you is not an easy task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a clearer picture of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Black Hills State University in 2024 was 3,394.
That year, the school had 39% of out-of-state students. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 3,198, 29 of which were foreign students. 159 students were admitted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 535 male and 1,060 female full-time students in 2024, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution. 9 full-time graduate men and 8 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to focusing on the diversity of its student body and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Black Hills State University.
This school had 11 Asian students and 32 Afro-American students in 2024. 84 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 31 identified with more than one race. The school also had 2 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 81 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 117 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into consideration. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at Black Hills State University that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
For local residents, public county and municipal institutions reported that tuition costs were $7,836. Tuition fees were $11,028 for students coming from out of state. Tuition costs at Black Hills State University for international students amounted to $11,028. Fees per academic year required of full-time students totaled $1,178 in 2024.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $11,028 | $1,178 | $12,206 |
| In-State | $7,836 | $1,178 | $9,014 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to think about the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The estimated cost of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,200.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
At Black Hills State University, the 2024 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $8,200. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school came to $4,220, according to the data from 2024.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 7,836 |
| Room and Board | $ 8,200 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 17,236 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial support can be a great deal for many students. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Black Hills State University, here are some recent data you should consider.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Black Hills State University is available to international students.
Majors
Faculty
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2024, this ratio at Black Hills State University was 17:1. That means that there were 17 times more students than teachers at this school. According to the most recent information, there are 161 teachers at this school. Out of that number, there were 78 men and 83 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Black Hills State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some info about students' life at Black Hills State University.
Its campus is 123 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
There are 85 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. That includes sororities and fraternities. Other popular organizations among the students at Black Hills State University are Student Government and Student Activities Committee.
Those interested in music can join the Black Hills State University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. For students interested in media and communication, Black Hills State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Black Hills State University provides a number of services needed for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Black Hills State University.
All in all, campus life at Black Hills State University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Black Hills State University.
Career Counselling
There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Black Hills State University is located in Spearfish, SD.
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Black Hills State University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Black Hills State University is 96%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Black Hills State University is 72%.
Contact Information
Black Hills State University
1200 University Street
Spearfish , SD
57799-9502
605 642-6131
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
