BHSU Rankings and Evaluation
South Dakota Colleges
#5 in South Dakota Colleges
Federal Region VIII
#3 in Federal Region VIII
Black Hills State University is ranked 5th in South Dakota Colleges and 3rd in Federal Region VIII.
The following statements evaluate Black Hills State University by comparing key academic facts to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
- Its tuition & fees of $12,018 is comparable to similar schools.
- The acceptance rate (96%) is slightly higher than the average (relatively easy to get in).
- The SAT & ACT scores (1,060 SAT, 21 ACT) is around average.
- It has small number of students of 3,346.
- The financial aid amount ($6,366) is much higher.
- It offers average (94 programs).
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
The 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees of BHSU are $12,018 (out-of-state rate) and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Black Hills State University $12,018
All U.S. Colleges $17,692
Public, 4-Years Colleges $18,895
4-Years Colleges $22,926
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota $11,392
Graduate Tuition & Fees
The 2025 graduate tuition & fees of BHSU are $15,849 (out-of-state rate) and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Black Hills State University $15,849
All U.S. Colleges $18,842
Public, 4-Years Colleges $20,343
4-Years Colleges $18,848
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota $11,870
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate of BHSU is 96% and it is slightly higher than the average (relatively easy to get in) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Black Hills State University 96%
All U.S. Colleges 69%
Public, 4-Years Colleges 72%
4-Years Colleges 68%
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 83%
Yield (Enrollment Rate)
The yield, also known as enrollment rate, of BHSU is 30% and the yield is lower (admitted, but not enrolled) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Black Hills State University 30%
All U.S. Colleges 37%
Public, 4-Years Colleges 32%
4-Years Colleges 35%
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 38%
SAT Scores
The average SAT score submitted by enrolled students at BHSU is 1,060 and it is around average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Black Hills State University 1,060
All U.S. Colleges 1,123
Public, 4-Years Colleges 1,112
4-Years Colleges 1,124
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 1,131
ACT Scores
The average ACT score submitted by enrolled students at BHSU is 21 and it is lower compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Black Hills State University 21
All U.S. Colleges 68
Public, 4-Years Colleges 67
4-Years Colleges 68
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 68
Graduation Rate
The average graduation rate at BHSU is 43% and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Black Hills State University 43%
All U.S. Colleges 56%
Public, 4-Years Colleges 48%
4-Years Colleges 51%
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 42%
Retention Rate
The average retention rate at BHSU is 72% and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Black Hills State University 72%
All U.S. Colleges 69%
Public, 4-Years Colleges 74%
4-Years Colleges 73%
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 71%
Student Population
The total student population at BHSU is 3,346 and its population small compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Black Hills State University 3,346
All U.S. Colleges 2,931
Public, 4-Years Colleges 11,396
4-Years Colleges 4,686
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 5,291
Financial Aid Amount
The average amount of financial aid received at BHSU is $6,366 which is 52.97% of tuition & fees. The rate of the financial aid over its tuition is much higher compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Black Hills State University $6,366
All U.S. Colleges $7,676
Public, 4-Years Colleges $7,301
4-Years Colleges $12,161
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota $4,715
Student to Faculty Ratio
The students to faculty ratio at BHSU is 17 to 1 and the ratio is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Black Hills State University 17 to 1
All U.S. Colleges 15 to 1
Public, 4-Years Colleges 17 to 1
4-Years Colleges 14 to 1
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 16 to 1
Number of Programs
BHSU offers 94 programs and it means average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.
Black Hills State University 94
All U.S. Colleges 37
Public, 4-Years Colleges 108
4-Years Colleges 58
Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota 90
Number of Online Programs
BHSU offers 8 online programs and it means limited online classes compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in South Dakota.