Is Black Hills State University worth it?
Black Hills State University is a public, four-year institution in Spearfish, South Dakota (small town). It awarded 459 degrees and certificates in 2024, most often in business administration and management, biology sciences and elementary education and teaching.
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Federal data
Federal context for Black Hills State University
Published by the federal government for federally aided students. It does not say which employers hire graduates.
Median earnings 1 year after
$40,957
Median earnings 4 years after
$48,243
Median earnings 10 years after
$46,674
Average net price
$15,911
Completion rate
43%
Completions (2024)
459
Years to pay back
1.3 years
Students (undergrad)
1,928
Median earnings after completing, by program
| Program | Credential | Median earnings, 1yr | Median earnings, 4yr | Graduates counted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Bachelor's | $45,682 | $59,626 | 96 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Bachelor's | $47,978 | $44,958 | 92 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | Bachelor's | $39,092 | $42,781 | 35 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | Master's | $52,499 | $51,881 | 32 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Master's | $54,120 | $57,025 | 28 |
| Biology, General | Bachelor's | $33,518 | $40,967 | 28 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | Bachelor's | $34,142 | $55,622 | 28 |
| Special Education and Teaching | Bachelor's | $49,134 | $48,332 | 27 |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's | $35,996 | $42,417 | 23 |
| Design and Applied Arts | Bachelor's | $31,022 | $29,733 | 18 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | Bachelor's | $47,494 | $52,883 | 16 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | Bachelor's | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Communication and Media Studies | Undergraduate certificate | N/A | $45,937 | N/A |
| Communication and Media Studies | Bachelor's | N/A | $45,537 | N/A |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | Bachelor's | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: College Scorecard, June 2026 release, and IPEDS. Earnings cover federally aided students only, so they do not cover every graduate.
Awards conferred, by program
| Program | Award level | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management, General | Bachelor's | 55 |
| Elementary Education and Teaching | Bachelor's | 35 |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's | 30 |
| Sport and Fitness Administration/Management | Bachelor's | 25 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | Bachelor's | 20 |
| General Studies | Associate | 19 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | Associate | 19 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | Bachelor's | 18 |
| General Studies | Bachelor's | 14 |
| Secondary Education and Teaching | Master's | 10 |
Federal view: Census PSEO, most recent federal cohort, one year after completion
| Industry | Share of graduates | Graduates counted |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Services | 34% | 3,659 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 16% | 1,693 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 9% | 940 |
| Retail Trade | 7% | 802 |
| Public Administration | 6% | 610 |
| Finance and Insurance | 6% | 591 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 5% | 491 |
| Manufacturing | 3% | 314 |
Similar schools
Other public four year schools in South Dakota
Same state, same sector, nearest by completions.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Rapid City, SD
53%
completion rate
502
completions
Graduate data being added
See the pageNorthern State University
Aberdeen, SD
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completion rate
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completions
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See the pageDakota State University
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completion rate
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completions
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See the pageFor school staff
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Sources: federal figures for Black Hills State University. Federal figures from College Scorecard and IPEDS. Occupation pay from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS for South Dakota. Counts under 10 are not published.
Updated September 18, 2026 · Methodology · Report a problem with this page