Black Hills State University
Spearfish, SD · Public · Graduate degree-granting
Black Hills State University, based in Spearfish, South Dakota, is a public institution, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. With 1,928 students, it is a small institution. Graduates earn a median of $46,674 ten years after enrollment, which is 15% above the national median of $40,747. Regarding student success, the graduation rate is 40.5%. Mmedian graduate debt is $26,000, yielding an earnings-to-debt ratio of 1.8x. The average net price after financial aid is $15,911 per year. The most popular programs include Business Administration & Management, Teacher Education, Biology, Sports & Fitness, and Community Organization & Advocacy.
Key Outcomes
Median Earnings (10yr)
$46,674
Graduation Rate
40.5%
Median Debt
$26,000
Average Net Price
$15,911
Earnings-to-Cost Ratio
0.73x
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio
1.8x
Admissions & Enrollment
Total Enrollment
1,928
Admission Rate
96.3%
Average SAT
1087
Retention Rate
71.7%
Cost
In-State Tuition
$8,764
Out-of-State Tuition
$11,866
Pell Grant Rate
20.0%
Federal Loan Rate
27.6%
Net Cost by Family Income
Income $0–$30K
$11,863
Income $30K–$48K
$13,379
Income $48K–$75K
$15,588
Income $110K+
$18,604
Student Demographics
Women
62.2%
White
67.2%
Black
1.5%
Hispanic
5.2%
Asian
0.6%
Two or More Races
1.8%
Student Loan Performance
Repayment Rate (3yr)
62.1%
Accreditations
- Higher Learning Commission — Institutional Accreditation (Accredited)
- National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on Accreditation — Music (MUS) (Accredited)
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education — Teacher Education (TED) - Baccalaureate and graduate programs for the preparation of teachers and other professional personnel for elementary and secondary schools (Accredited)
Programs (52)
Bachelor (25)
| Program | Median Earnings | Completers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration & Management | $59,626 | 82 |
| Teacher Education | $44,958 | 41 |
| Biology | $40,967 | 27 |
| Sports & Fitness | $55,622 | 26 |
| Community Organization & Advocacy | $42,781 | 21 |
| Psychology | $42,417 | 20 |
| English Language & Literature | Not reported | 16 |
| Secondary Education | $52,883 | 14 |
| History | Not reported | 14 |
| Liberal Arts & Sciences | Not reported | 10 |
| Outdoor Education | Not reported | 10 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | Not reported | 10 |
| Communications | $45,537 | 9 |
| Sociology | $49,833 | 9 |
| Mathematics | Not reported | 8 |
| Political Science | Not reported | 8 |
| Special Education | $48,332 | 6 |
| Chemistry | Not reported | 6 |
| Design & Applied Arts | $29,733 | 6 |
| Rhetoric & Composition | Not reported | 5 |
| Physical Sciences, Other | Not reported | 5 |
| Music | Not reported | 4 |
| Accounting | $69,079 | 4 |
| Ethnic & Gender Studies | Not reported | 3 |
| Public Relations | Not reported | 3 |
Master (8)
| Program | Median Earnings | Completers |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education | $57,025 | 17 |
| Secondary Education | $53,793 | 12 |
| Human Resources Management | $73,150 | 7 |
| Business Administration & Management | Not reported | 6 |
| Curriculum & Instruction | $51,881 | 5 |
| Genetics | Not reported | 5 |
| Sustainability Studies | Not reported | 5 |
| Special Education | Not reported | 3 |
Associate (4)
| Program | Median Earnings | Completers |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | $60,349 | 21 |
| Liberal Arts & Sciences | $40,193 | 16 |
| Business Administration & Management | Not reported | 5 |
| Community Organization & Advocacy | Not reported | 4 |
Undergraduate Certificate (7)
| Program | Median Earnings | Completers |
|---|---|---|
| Sociology | $51,562 | 9 |
| Business | Not reported | 8 |
| Communications | $45,937 | 6 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | Not reported | 4 |
| Neurobiology & Neurosciences | Not reported | 3 |
| Entrepreneurship | Not reported | 3 |
| Human Resources Management | Not reported | 3 |
Show 8 additional programs with limited data
| Program | Level | Completers |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Education | Undergraduate Certificate | 2 |
| Design & Applied Arts | Undergraduate Certificate | 2 |
| Fine Arts | Bachelor | 2 |
| Hospitality Management | Associate | 2 |
| International Studies | Undergraduate Certificate | 1 |
| Social Sciences | Bachelor | 1 |
| Political Science | Undergraduate Certificate | 1 |
| Accounting | Undergraduate Certificate | 1 |
Rankings Featuring This Institution
- Highest Earning Associate's Biology Programs
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Business Programs in South Dakota
- Highest Earning Master's Business Programs in South Dakota
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Psychology Programs in South Dakota
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Biology Programs in South Dakota
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Education Programs in South Dakota
- Highest Earning Master's Education Programs in South Dakota
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Social Sciences Programs in South Dakota
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Communications Programs in South Dakota
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Parks & Recreation Programs in South Dakota
Similar Institutions
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