Cost varies significantly by family income. Use the breakdown below to estimate your net price.
Cost Calculator
What You'll Pay at Black Hills State University
Select your family income to see your estimated cost
The Cost Formula
Tuition
$12K
+
Room
$12K
+
Books
$1,092
=
Sticker Price
$21,277
$12K+$12K+$1,092=$21,277
Your Family Income
Sticker
$21,277
−
Your Aid
$5,689
=
Net Price
$15,588
All Income Levels
Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
Black Hills State University Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Summary
Cost Category
Amount
Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price)
$21,277
Tuition and Fees
$11,866
Room and Board
$12,160
Books and Supplies
$1,092
Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships)
-$5,366
Average Net Price (What Families Pay)
$15,911
Black Hills State University Net Price by Family Income Level
Family Income
Net Price
$0–30k
$11,863
$30–48k
$13,379
$48–75k
$15,588
$75–110k
$18,072
$110k+
$18,604
Understanding Your Aid Package
Black Hills State University has a sticker price of $21,277 per year, but most students pay significantly less after financial aid. The actual cost depends heavily on your family's income level.
Key Facts
Sticker price: $21,277/year
Average aid: $5,366 in grants & scholarships
$48–75K families pay: ~$15,588/year
Low-income families: Pay ~$11,863/year
20% of students receive Pell Grants
Financial Aid Profile
💰
20%
Pell Grant Recipients
Lower-income students receiving federal aid
🎓
28%
First-Generation Students
Parents without bachelor's degree
Get personalized cost estimates and assess whether borrowing makes sense.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Typical Debt
Median Student Debt$26,000
Range (25th–75th)$5,500 – $26,000
Median Parent PLUS Loans$11,908
Debt Manageability
0.54x
Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
Debt is moderate relative to earnings. Manageable for most graduates, but higher-debt borrowers should plan carefully.
3-Year Default Rate0.0%
Return on Investment
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Median Earnings (10yr)
$46,674
Earnings Growth
+20%
6 → 10 years post-graduation
Value Added
+$-5,087
36th percentile among peers
Earnings Range (10yr post-graduation)
$28,912
25th %ile
$63,502
75th %ile
Frequently Asked Questions about Black Hills State University Cost & Financial Aid
Black Hills State University's published tuition is $21,277 per year. However, after financial aid, the average student pays $15,588—a difference of $5,689.
Families earning under $30,000 pay an average net price of $11,863 at Black Hills State University. 20% of students receive Pell Grants.
Black Hills State University offers merit-based scholarships for academic achievement, in addition to need-based financial aid. Contact the financial aid office for specific scholarship opportunities.
The median debt for Black graduates is $26,000, resulting in estimated monthly payments of $276 over 10 years.
Even families earning over $110,000 pay an average net price of $18,604 at Black—still $2,673 less than the sticker price. Most families qualify for some form of aid.
