Founded in 1883, Black Hills State University. is a Public college. Located in South Dakota, which is a city setting in South Dakota, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 3,812 full time undergraduate students, and 432 full time graduate students.
The Black Hills State University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 20:1. There are 119 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Black Hills State University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
79%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
20
SAT Range
880-1100
ACT Range
19-24
Admissions at BHSU are considered Less Selective, with ,15% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 35 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Black Hills State University.
6%
“We”re apathetic”
33%
“We know about current events and vote”
56%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
6%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
6%
“We save it for the classroom”
28%
“Sometimes, but not often”
56%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
11%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
6%
“I only go out in groups”
44%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
50%
“I feel extremely safe”
17%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
39%
“We bought the gear”
44%
“We live for the big game”
6%
“It”s not really our thing”
22%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
56%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
17%
“We”re a very artistic group”
6%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
61%
“They keep regular office hours”
33%
“They”re always available”
72%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
22%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
6%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
11%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
44%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
33%
“We only party on weekends”
11%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
28%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
50%
“There might be people who do”
22%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
6%
“We”re apathetic”
33%
“We know about current events and vote”
56%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
6%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
6%
“We save it for the classroom”
28%
“Sometimes, but not often”
56%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
11%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
6%
“I only go out in groups”
44%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
50%
“I feel extremely safe”
17%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
39%
“We bought the gear”
44%
“We live for the big game”
6%
“It”s not really our thing”
22%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
56%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
17%
“We”re a very artistic group”
6%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
61%
“They keep regular office hours”
33%
“They”re always available”
72%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
22%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
6%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
38 Students rated on-campus housing 3.4 stars. 11 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
30 Students rated off-campus housing 3.5 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
38 Students rated campus food 3 stars. 8 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
40 Students rated campus facilities 4.2 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
40 Students rated class size 4.3 stars. 50 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
40 Students rated school activities 3.8 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
40 Students rated local services 4.2 stars. 45 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
40 Students rated academics 4 stars. 30 % gave the school a 5.0.
Black Hills State University REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Black Hills State University?
21 Students rated Black Hills State University
Alena
Prospective04/10/2025
The very first time I stepped on the campus I fell in love. Everything about BHSU felt like I was right at home. I actually went with my sister to go look at it because she was a senior that year. Now it's four years later and my heart is still set on going to Black Hills State University. They offer an excellent program for those interested in the field of education, along with many other programs that one may be looking for. I love that they provide many opportunities to connect with others throughout the whole school year. I also appreciate how they value the variety of cultures and showcase that during multicultural events. Overall, Black Hills State feels like a place where I am welcomed and will help me meet my education goals.
Tucker N
Prospective04/02/2025
Small but has a good business side of the school
Kellen
04/24/2024
Black Hills State University is likely the best college in South Dakota. While it's very lively, it doesn't have the intense overwhelming class size or party scene of a college like SDSU. The RAs are extremely responsible, nearly every student I've met is very kind, and the teachers live to help you succeed. I am so glad everyday that I chose this college and think it is wildly underrated.
Kaeli
03/08/2019
I love this college and all of the opportunities offered. The professors are super awesome! When I auditioned for their music scholarship, the music department made sure they were available and accommodated my audition time. The professors are all always there to make sure I understand the material, and to make sure I have help whenever I need it! It is a very friendly campus!
Jessica
02/21/2019
I do enjoy my school, I just don't think it is right for what I want to study. This university has great campus life and the professors always try to make sure they are available for you. I may eventually leave to a larger or more suitable institution but I can get my Bachelors degree here so if I wanted to stay I could.
Isabelle
01/30/2019
When I visited I saw, all sites, their apartment dwellings, cafeteria, gymnasium, field, and went to their gift shop. Everything listed is so great which interested me and I hope to go there this fall. Their apartments for on-campus are very beautiful as including a beautiful living room. Yet, I hope to stay in town in Rapid City, then to hopefully have transportation to college and back by the fall semester. Their cafeteria has a variety of food to choose from, even with their own chefs in the back making delicious food to serve to college students. I honestly love how the cafeteria looks along with their name to it, the hive! Their gymnasium and field are fit for approaching athletes, and their gift shop has everything you'd need daily and school supplies.
Joni
12/29/2018
BHSU is an ok school. It is very small so you tend to see some of the high school like drama and hierarchy follow students with them to college. There is a lot of hierarchy towards the athletes. They control the party scene. Do not attend this school if interested in ANY medical or health science degrees. They offer some programs but HIGHLY recommend looking for somewhere else. Arts program is pretty good but it is somewhat of a conservative school.
Sarah
12/27/2018
Black Hills State is a great school. The class size is small so the teachers are really involved with the students and the students can get the most out of the courses. the campus size is also small so there is a low number of incidents and everybody is able to make new friends
katherine
10/18/2018
Bhsu is a beautiful small town college with amazing outdoor recreational activities, the campus is crime free, don't come expecting to party, the students here take their studies seriously. There are lots of outdoor adventures like hiking and biking. Football is big around here during homecoming week, there are church clubs, art, English and math kinds of clubs. Diversity and acceptance of all are quite nice around here, Small class sizes and the teachers are easily accessible. The college puts heavy influence on business, science, education, and art degrees and so more scholarships for those kinds of degrees are available. Liberal arts like humanities and history have encouragement but also kinda fall on the wayside, Dorms are ok, but you must leave during 3-week Christmas break or pay $400 to stay, and you must leave during weak long spring break or pay $120 to stay. There is no emergency housing for homeless students and while there are summer classes that you can take, there is no summer housing available. Be prepared for harsh cold winter weather while going to college here, but if you do it right, you'll have an amazing experience.
Austin
06/13/2018
I am a student starting in the fall, and of all the colleges that I got accepted to, I chose BHSU Because they were the nicest, and really cared about what I wanted and who I was. I was not just another student to them. they took time to know my situation, and find the right fit for me.
Adrienne
05/11/2018
BHSU is a beautiful campus with nice class sizes and friendly professors and students. I really like the atmosphere there, and the small size of the campus. Being in the heart of the Black Hills in Spearfish, SD is incredible. While not in class, there are plenty of activities to engage in around the community.
Darian
03/28/2018
Black Hills State University offers great academics but the social life outside of classes is nonexistent. If you are not on a sports team or from the state of South Dakota its hard to find a social group. Spearfish offers plenty of hikes to do when the weather warms up and great rec center.
Shalynn
01/31/2018
I love this school. the class sizes are usually 20 - 30. the biggest a class can be is about 60. the small class atmosphere makes it easy for teachers to learn students names and for the students and teachers to make connections. the campus feels very safe with 24 hour security which can walk you to your dorms if you need.
Hailey
01/17/2018
BH is a really nice, smaller university. It's small enough that everyone kind of knows each other, but big enough that there is diversity among the students and staff.
Malaisia
01/14/2018
Our Art, Photography, Teaching and Business departments are strongest. We are sponsored by Canon so photo students have Canon lenses and printers available to them. The teaching department prepares excellent teachers, students are estimated to have a job 6 months before they graduate. While we have many classes, the Graphic Design department is a bit week. The school is pretty small as well surrounded by a small city. There's many outdoor activities to do but not much aside from that. The school hosts some cool events but I definitely think there's room for improvement, students aren't really engaged with on-campus activities the way most are.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Black Hills State University is 79%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
Choosing the right college is an important decision students and parents need to make. My advice would be to give yourself enough time. You should never rush into picking a college. When deciding on a certain school, visit and explore what they have to offer. Another factor to consider is how far away is it from home. If you don't think you can be that far from home than reconsider because the last thing you want is to not be able to focus on school because you are home sick.
After you have choosen the school of your choice you want to make sure you make the most of it. You have to remember that everyone is new and is afraid to meet new friends. Your not the only one nervous about being a freshman is school. Meet new friends and join on campus activities. It is a great way to meet new people and make memories.
What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?
All the construction on campus. My freshmen year they had to shutdown the fast food place and half of the student union so they could expand it (should be done by the fall 2009). And once they are done with the expansion of the Union, they are going to start working on a new science lab. However, the lab will be not in the center of the campus like the Union was, but I'm sure it will take up a part of the parking lot.
What kind of person should not attend this school?
The kind of person that shouldn't attend this school would be a person that expects to skip their classes and still pass; a person who thinks that college is just about partying. Most of all, the kind of person that shouldn't attend this University would be someone who doesn't expect to have their life transformed while engaging in an unforgettable and incredible campus experience alongside the gain of the remarkable knowledge given to help pursue their life's dream.
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
The degree that I received, environmental biology is very desirable to employers. Also, the town of Spearfish is small and safe, but there are alot of activities especially outdoors.
Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.
Black Hills State University is an excellent school with a student to faculty ratio that facilitates a learning environment desirable for all students, and it is located in the Northern Black Hills where there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy.
The way the campus makes it feel like a community. It seems like everyone gets along with everyone. You could be at the library studying and a random guy or girl might strike up a convorstation. Or you could be hanging at the Union and someone will challenge you to a friendly game of fooseball or ping-pong. But, while you get to make new friends, there are a ton of people on campus so there are always more people to make friends with.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?
I wish that I had researched the school more before I went to it, because I was unaware that BHSU only provided Spanish as a minor--no other languages.
Someone who likes a small town atmosphere with a desire for many outdoor recreational activities. This university provides small classroom settings where students can have alot of 1 on 1 time with there professors and advisors.
What's the most frustrating thing about your school?
The most frustrating thing about my school is that some teachers can not teacher the subject that they are teaching very well. This is because they think they know it but it seems like they do not and that frustrates me.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
92% of students attending Black Hills State University receive some sort of financial aid.
37% were awarded federal grants.69%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.