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Black Hills State University
Admission Chances & Acceptance Rate

📍 Spearfish, SD🏛️ Public university📝 Test-optional

This public university in Spearfish, South Dakota enrolls about 3,425 students and admits nearly all applicants (96.3%). It's accessible for students across the SAT/ACT spectrum. Business and marketing is the most popular field of study. The 43% six-year graduation rate and 72% first-year retention are notably lower than national averages, suggesting completion challenges.

Acceptance rate
96.3%
Enrollment
3,425
Test policy
optional
Grad rate (6-yr)
43%

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Admitted Student Profile

The middle 50% of admitted students (25th–75th percentile), self-reported by the school.

SAT (combined)
965 – 1135
ACT (composite)
18 – 24
GPA
Not published

$ What You'll Actually Pay

Average yearly net price after grants & scholarships, by family income (federal cohort averages — not a personal quote).

$0–30k
$11,863
family income
$30–48k
$13,379
family income
$48–75k
$15,588
family income
$75–110k
$18,072
family income
$110k+
$18,604
family income
20% receive Pell grants
28% take federal loans

Strongest Programs

The fields Black Hills State University graduates the most students in — a signal of depth, faculty, and alumni networks.

Business & Marketing
23.5%
Education
13.0%
Biology
9.1%
Humanities
8.1%
Visual & Performing Arts
8.1%

Outcomes

School-level averages across all students who enrolled (College Scorecard). Not a personal forecast.

Earnings (10 yr)
$46,674
Earnings (6 yr)
$38,927
Completion
43%
Retention
72%
Median debt
$26,000

? Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Black Hills State University?

Black Hills State University has an acceptance rate of 96.3%, making it relatively accessible.

What SAT score do you need for Black Hills State University?

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 965 and 1135 on the SAT. The ACT range is 18–24.

How much does Black Hills State University actually cost?

After grants and scholarships, the average net price for the lowest income band is $11,863 per year, rising to $18,604 for families earning $110k+. These are federal cohort averages, not a personal quote.

What are my chances of getting into Black Hills State University?

Your odds depend on how your GPA and test scores compare to admitted students, plus factors like major, residency, and early decision. UniversityOdds calculates a personalized probability for free — enter your stats to see yours.

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Data sourced from IPEDS, the Common Data Set, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Acceptance probabilities calculated by UniversityOdds are estimates based on published academic data and are not a guarantee of admission. Net price figures are federal cohort averages, not personalized quotes — run the school's official net price calculator for your own estimate.