Campus & Student Life at Black Hills State University

Home to about 3,413 undergraduates in 2020, Black Hills State University is a small, public university located in Spearfish, South Dakota. This is a great opportunity for those who would thrive in a charming, small-town atmosphere. Should you tire of the campus however, Black Hills State University offers a “study abroad” program. Please note, some classes/degrees offered by Black Hills State University can be taken “online” so keep that in mind when reviewing this report. For more context, you might also check out our Black Hills State University Guide to Distance and Online Learning.

Black Hills State University Has a Disability Services Site

For more information on policies and accommodations that the university provides to ensure all students get the opportunity to participate, you can visit Black Hills State University Disability Services.

Black Hills State University for the Military

While not a "service academy", Black Hills State University does offer support for veterans and those seeking a career in the armed forces. Undergraduates have access to one or more ROTC programs and there is an active student veterans group on campus. For more information on policies related to veterans, you can visit Black Hills State University Veteran Services . For more information, check out our Black Hills State University for Veterans Guide.

Black Hills State University offers On-Campus Day Care

For students with young families, Black Hills State University does offer some day care. Programs like this are often in very high demand, so be sure to inquire as soon as you can.

Freshmen Living Arrangements at Black Hills State University

Black Hills State University offers on-campus housing, but freshmen are not required to take advantage of it. In the end though, most do choose to live in the dorms.

* Data compiled from students who received financial aid, including loans.

Full-time vs. Part-time Studies at Black Hills State University

Black Hills State University has a comparatively small, student body. There were 3,413 undergraduates in 2020. Full-time attendance was 1,794 (52.6%). Part-time attendance was 1,619 (47.4%).

Black Hills State University is Ranked #1,693 for Overall Diversity

Compared to other colleges and universities across the nation, Black Hills State University is about average in terms of overall diversity. We rank Black Hills State University #1693 out of 3,451.

The chart below shows each element that we looked at to determine this ranking, and how that metric compares to the national average. 100 would indicate excellent diversity in each category, and 1 would mean poor diversity.

You can learn more about the diversity of the student body at Black Hills State University by looking closer at the ethnic,  gender,  age, and geographic diversity metrics from the Black Hills State University Diversity Guide.

Black Hills State University Competes in the NCAA

Black Hills State University has a total of 305 student athletes, 180 men and 125 women who compete in inter-collegiate athletics.

Athletics Financing

For more information about athletics including per-team sizes, coaching and scholarships check out our Guide to Black Hills State University Athletics