Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Spearfish, South Dakota
94.4% Acceptance Rate
Black Hills State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
94.4%Acceptance Rate
3.22Avg GPA
1050Avg SAT
21Avg ACT
$21,343Annual Cost
$46,674Grad Salary
18.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
94.4%
Avg GPA
3.22
Avg SAT
1050
Avg ACT
21
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1010–1080
ACT Middle 50%
18–23
Avg Net Price
$17,001
Need-Based Aid
18.5% receive Pell
Black Hills State University is a public institution in South Dakota that offers a blend of liberal arts and professional degrees, set against the backdrop of the Black Hills. Admissions are straightforward, emphasizing high school academic performance and readiness for a small-college atmosphere. The university values students who are eager to participate in an active, community-centered campus life where outdoor adventure and scholarly pursuits go hand-in-hand.
Applicants should highlight their consistency in academic work and any extracurricular involvement that shows leadership or teamwork. The university is particularly appealing to those who thrive in personalized learning environments, so applicants who can demonstrate a proactive approach to their studies and a willingness to take advantage of undergraduate research opportunities are encouraged. The admissions committee seeks motivated individuals who will add value to the university's diverse and supportive regional community.
Black Hills State University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Black Hills State University is inclusive by design. 94.4% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 94.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.22 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.02 – 3.21
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.77
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Black Hills State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Black Hills State University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
BHSU reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Priority: 2026/02/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
BHSU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at BHSU is 3.22. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.92–3.22 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.42–3.62.BHSU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.22 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.02 – 3.21
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.82 – 3.01
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.81
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- BHSU operates the Underground Campus (BHUC) 4,850 feet below ground at Sanford Underground Research Facility, a former gold mine, supporting dark matter and neutrino research in partnership with national labs.
- The NSF-funded REU program pays $700/week for a 10-week summer research program ($7,000 total) plus housing and travel, open to students nationwide via separate application.
- BHSU's Environmental Physical Science degree is uniquely built around proximity to Sanford Lab, offering research access not available at comparable regional programs.
- BHSU offers coursework at a satellite site in Rapid City in addition to its main Spearfish campus, alongside online options.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at BHSU
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Black Hills State University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Black Hills State University (BHSU) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at BHSU. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into BHSU Without SAT or ACT?
BHSU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Black Hills State University Average SAT Score: 1050
Admitted students at Black Hills State University average a 1050 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1050 — Accessible
A 1050 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1080 SAT or 23 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Black Hills State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1010? A retake is worth it at BHSU. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1050 | 1010 | 1080 |
A score under 1010 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1080+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into Black Hills State University (BHSU) with a 1100 SAT?
At 1100, your SAT is squarely in BHSU's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Black Hills State University (BHSU) ACT Requirements
BHSU's admitted students average an ACT of 21.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive
An average of 21 leaves room above it for a competitive application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 20 | 16 | 23 |
| ACT English | 19 | 16 | 22 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 18 | 23 |
Can I get into Black Hills State University with a 23 ACT?
At 23, you're in the top quarter of BHSU's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, BHSU weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for BHSU
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into BHSU is the easy part. What matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Target the Paid Underground Research Program If You're Considering Physics
BHSU operates the Underground Campus (BHUC) 4,850 feet below the surface at the Sanford Underground Research Facility, a former gold mine now used for dark matter and neutrino research. The NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program pays $700/week for 10 weeks ($7,000 total) plus housing and travel, open to students nationwide - not just BHSU's own. If physics, geophysics, or environmental science interests you, apply for this specific REU cohort rather than assuming underground research access requires being a physics major already deep into a PhD track.
Use Environmental Physical Science's Sanford Lab Proximity as Your Application Hook
BHSU's Environmental Physical Science degree is explicitly built around its 20-mile proximity to Sanford Underground Research Facility, giving students direct access to faculty collaborations in radiopurity assaying, geophysics, and environmental monitoring that aren't replicable at a landlocked program elsewhere. In application essays or faculty outreach, reference this specific research infrastructure rather than generic interest in "environmental science" - it signals you've researched what makes this program different from a standard geology degree.
Confirm the South Dakota Board of Regents Systemwide Standard, Not Just BHSU's Reputation for Easy Entry
Like other South Dakota public universities, BHSU applies the Board of Regents' systemwide standard requiring an academic-record benchmark (2.6 GPA or equivalent) alongside a test-score benchmark where applicable. Because BHSU's roughly 90-94% acceptance rate can create a false sense that any application clears the bar, confirm your specific transcript and test combination meets the Regents' standard before assuming admission is automatic.
Leverage the Rapid City Satellite Campus If You're Place-Bound
BHSU offers coursework at a satellite site in Rapid City in addition to the main Spearfish campus and online options, so if relocating to Spearfish isn't feasible, ask specifically which majors and course sequences are available at the Rapid City location before assuming you need to commute or move for a BHSU degree.
Expert Insight:
Students interested in BHSU's underground research opportunities sometimes assume access requires being an advanced physics major with existing lab experience. In reality, the NSF REU program and BHUC research draw students from various institutions and experience levels - but the paid summer program has its own separate application and deadline distinct from general BHSU admission, and missing that application window means waiting a full year for the next cohort.
BHSU Profile
Full Name
Black Hills State University (BHSU)
City
Spearfish
State
South Dakota
ZIP Code
57799-9500
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a BHSU Degree Worth It?
Whether BHSU is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $49,500, and graduates see a 3.56% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from BHSU Cost?
Listed tuition runs $21,343/year at BHSU. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $17,001.
At BHSU, 18.5% receive a Pell Grant and 29.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming BHSU on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a BHSU Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, BHSU graduates report a median income of $46,674, about 15% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Black Hills State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
| Thomas University | Thomasville, GA | 1037 | 21 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Black Hills State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Black Hills State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
Degree Programs at BHSU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About BHSU Admissions
Black Hills State University graduates earn a lower median salary of $46,674/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Black Hills State University is relatively affordable, around $21,343/year.
18.5% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Black Hills State University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Black Hills State University's acceptance rate is 94.4%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Black Hills State University students is 3.22, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.92 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Black Hills State University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.82 or below makes admission tougher at Black Hills State University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Black Hills State University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1050, and within the 1010–1080 range, keeps you competitive.
Black Hills State University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Black Hills State University charges an application fee of 20; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Priority: 2026/02/01. That's Black Hills State University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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