Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Black Hills State University #1322 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Black Hills State University sits in the 36.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Black Hills State University #497 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Black Hills State University's composite ranking reflects its balance of affordability and outcomes for students in the Azimuth coverage set. Graduates earn about $5,087 less than similar students at comparable institutions, with post-graduation affordability ranking among the institution's strongest pillars.
Azimuth ranks Black Hills State University #1322 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Spearfish, SD, Black Hills State University enrolls roughly 1,928 undergraduates. Retention is 71.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 42.6%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional public institution. Where Black Hills State University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Black Hills State University #1156 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $48,243, and Black Hills State University sits in the 36.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program portfolio is anchored in Education, which accounts for a substantial share of degrees and leads directly into stable, in-demand careers in schools and educational settings across the region. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Black Hills State University enrolls 20.0% Pell-eligible students and 28.4% first-generation undergraduates, reflecting a broad-access mission typical of regional public universities. Azimuth ranks Black Hills State University in the 5.1 percentile for access and the 65.2 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. For students seeking a public education with strong employment outcomes in education and related fields, Black Hills State University delivers reliable long-term value without the cost profile of selective private institutions.
Black Hills State University's published cost of attendance is $21,277. Net price by income band reflects the institution's public-tuition structure and need-based aid reach: low-income families pay approximately $11,863, middle-income families pay around $15,588, and higher-income families pay approximately $18,604. Azimuth ranks Black Hills State University #497 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $11,908; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $48,243, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Black Hills State University is a strong fit for students seeking a regional public university experience in SD, particularly those interested in education and related fields. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $48,243, placing Black Hills State University in the 9.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $5,087 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 36.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 20.0% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 28.4% are first-generation — and delivers completion rates that align with national norms for this cohort. Published cost of attendance is $18,604, and median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix favors education and related fields, with Education representing 21% of degrees, and the regional labor market shapes post-graduation opportunities. Students whose interests align with these areas and who plan to stay in the Midwest will find Black Hills State University a strong regional option.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Black Hills State University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Maine At Farmington Similar quality tier (#36069 ranked) | ME | 97% | $44,433 | #36069 | Compare |
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design Similar quality tier (#36027 ranked) | MA | 76% | $43,582 | #36027 | Compare |
University Of South Carolina-Sumter Similar quality tier (#36079 ranked) | SC | 74% | $42,437 | #36079 | Compare |
West Virginia State University Similar quality tier (#36085 ranked) | WV | 96% | $40,492 | #36085 | Compare |
The Evergreen State College Similar quality tier (#34939 ranked) | WA | 96% | $45,320 | #34939 | Compare |
Business Administration, Management and Operations
71 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
20 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
19 graduates
Sociology
9 graduates
Special Education and Teaching
7 graduates
Black Hills State University's program mix is anchored in education and teacher-preparation fields, reflecting the institution's regional mission as a comprehensive public university serving South Dakota. Business Administration is the largest program with 71 graduates annually, followed by Teacher Education, Biology, General, Psychology, General, and Kinesiology.
Across 0 ranked programs, the institution serves approximately 383 students annually. The earnings pattern reflects the institution's education-focused portfolio.
Business Administration leads with median earnings of $59,626 four years after enrollment, followed by Kinesiology at $55,622, Subject-Specific Teacher Education at $52,883, Communication and Media Studies at $45,537, and Teacher Education at $44,958. The concentration in Education — representing 21% of graduates — aligns with strong regional demand for educators and school administrators across rural and small-town South Dakota labor markets.
Several of these programs are direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter stable, in-demand roles immediately after completion. Education and teacher-preparation fields represent high-mobility careers within regional labor markets, where hiring demand remains consistent and career progression is predictable.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's dominant program families align with regional workforce needs and long-term employment stability.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Black Hills State University's published cost of attendance is $21,277. Net price by income band reflects the institution's public-tuition structure and need-based aid reach: low-income families pay approximately $11,863, middle-income families pay around $15,588, and higher-income families pay approximately $18,604.
Azimuth ranks Black Hills State University #497 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $11,908; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $48,243, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Black Hills State University earn median 4-year earnings of $48,243, placing Black Hills State University in the 9.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $5,087 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Black Hills State University in the 36.2 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Black Hills State University #1156 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These outcomes reflect solid long-term financial returns for graduates entering the regional labor market.
Black Hills State University's program portfolio centers on education and teacher preparation, with Education representing the dominant field. Business Administration is the largest program with 71 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $59,626, performing at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field.
The Teacher Education program graduates 56 students earning $44,958, while Biology, General with 27 graduates reaches $40,967. These teaching-focused majors anchor the institution's mission and provide stable, in-demand career pathways in rural and regional school districts across the Upper Midwest.
