Black Hills State University (BHSU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Black Hills State University
Set by the ponderosa ridges of the Black Hills, the campus blends hands-on learning with real access to mentors. And studies range across education, business, arts, and the sciences, with a reputation for strong teaching and practical problem solving. Classrooms, labs, studios, and a lively library are backed by advising, tutoring, counseling, and clear-eyed career guidance.
Student life leans active and friendly. Clubs, service projects, and intramurals pair with trail runs, climbing, skiing, and quiet time by the creek. The culture is down-to-earth and outdoorsy, with faculty who know your name. Internships link students to regional employers and public land offices, and Spearfish adds coffeehouses, art, live music, and a small-town welcome.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Black Hills State University (BHSU) offers 43 degree programs across 17 major academic fields, graduating approximately 459 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (7 programs, 111 graduates), Education (8 programs, 81 graduates), Biological Sciences (2 programs, 40 graduates), Liberal Arts (1 programs, 33 graduates) and Arts (5 programs, 33 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Business (7 programs, 111 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 69 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
52.0301 |
| Business Administration | 10 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0101 |
| Organizational Behavior | 8 |
|
Master's
|
52.1003 |
| Tourism and Travel Management | 4 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0903 |
| Human Resources Management | 3 |
|
Other Award
|
52.1001 |
| Entrepreneurship Studies | 2 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0701 |
Education (8 programs, 81 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Education | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1202 |
| Secondary Education and Teaching | 10 |
|
Master's
|
13.1205 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 9 |
|
Master's
|
13.0301 |
| Special Education Teaching | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1001 |
| Reading Teacher Education | 8 |
|
Master's
|
13.1315 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1314 |
| Kindergarten and Preschool Education | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1209 |
| Music Teacher Education | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1312 |
Biological Sciences (2 programs, 40 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 37 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
| Molecular Genetics | 3 |
|
Master's
|
26.0802 |
Liberal Arts (1 programs, 33 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies | 33 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
24.0102 |
Arts (5 programs, 33 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Design | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
50.0409 |
| Photography | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
50.0605 |
| Studio Arts, General | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0702 |
| Art Studies | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0701 |
| Music | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
Psychology (1 programs, 30 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 30 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
Kinesiology (2 programs, 28 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport and Fitness Management | 25 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0504 |
| Outdoor Education | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0601 |
Social Sciences (4 programs, 27 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sociology | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
45.1101 |
| Political Science and Government | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Social Sciences | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0101 |
| American Government and Politics | 2 |
|
Other Award
|
45.1002 |
Public Services (1 programs, 20 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Organization and Advocacy | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
|
44.0201 |
English (2 programs, 11 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.0101 |
| Rhetoric and Composition | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.1304 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Black Hills State University (BHSU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Black Hills State University (BHSU)
How much does it cost to attend Black Hills State University (BHSU)?
The annual tuition at Black Hills State University (BHSU) is $8,916 for in-state students and $12,018 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $22,016 for in-state students and $25,118 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $7,400 (on) / $7,528 (off) and books and supplies $1,200.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Black Hills State University offer?
Black Hills State University (BHSU) offers 43 academic programs across 17 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (7 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (8 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (2 programs)
- Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (1 programs)
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (5 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Black Hills State University?
Black Hills State University (BHSU) has an 94.4% acceptance rate and a 32% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 1,617
- Students admitted: 1,527
- Students enrolled: 489
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Black Hills State University?
Black Hills State University (BHSU) provides financial aid to 14% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $5,158 and average loans of $6,728.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,065
- State/Local grants: $1,214
- Institutional grants: $2,866
- Federal loans: $4,955
The university supports 327 students with grants and 245 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Black Hills State University graduates?
Black Hills State University (BHSU) graduates earn a median salary of $38,927 after 6 years and $46,674 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $28,912 (25th percentile) to $63,502 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $67,900 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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