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Black Hills State University
Explore one of the most distinguished institutions in SD. Your pathway to a brighter future begins here.
Annual Tuition
$9,000
Average Sticker Price
Admission Rate
94.4%
Selectivity Level
Graduation Rate
41.5%
Completion Success
Median Earnings
$46,674
10y Career Outlook
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About Institution
Black Hills State University is a distinguished Public, 4-Year institution located in Spearfish, SD. With a competitive tuition profile of $9,000, it remains an attractive choice for ambitious students. A strong graduation rate of 41.5% underscores its academic rigor and effective student support systems.
Admissions Intel
ACT Score Range
Acceptance Rate
94.4%
Investment Return
Estimated College ROI Analysis
Total 4-Year Cost
$36,000
Based on sticker tuition
Estimated Payback
2.2 yrs
Time to recoup investment
Annual Earnings Boost
+$16,674
vs. $30k HS diploma baseline
10-Year Net Gain
+$130,740
Cumulative earnings advantage minus total college cost
20-Year Net Gain
+$297,480
Long-term projected return on your education investment
Graduation Rate: 42%
Students who don't graduate may still carry debt without the full earnings benefit. Consider program-specific outcomes in the Career Paths section below.
ROI estimates use the BLS national median of $30,000/yr for high school diploma holders as a baseline. Actual results vary based on major, career path, location, and individual circumstances. Median graduate debt at Black Hills State University is $26,000.
Student Community
Gender Balance
Ethnic Diversity
Security Audit
Incidents
0
Burglary
0
Theft
0
Assault
0
Robbery
0
Rape
0
Arson
0
Murder
0
Financial Outlook
Total Sticker Price
$9,000
Estimated cost before aid.
Net Price By Income
Debt & Financial Aid
Repayment measured in 2016–17; this federal measure was discontinued.
* Most students receive significant grants and scholarships, reducing the actual cost. Grant data from IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey.
Quick Overview
Faculty Ratio
N/A
Retention
72.2%
Success
41.5%
In-State Cost
$9,000
Age 25+ Students
10.9%
Carnegie Class
Master's: Smaller
Working at 6yr
1,186 students
Security Benchmark
Campus vs. City Comparison (Per 100k)
Violent Offenses
PER 100KProperty Crimes
PER 100KStats sourced from institutional reports and municipal data. These rates provide a standardized baseline for comparing safety across different environments.