SPEARFISH, SD · PUBLIC
Black Hills State University reported a $15,911 average net price, a completion rate of 40.5%, $48,243 median earnings four years after completion, and $26,000 median federal debt among completers in the June 2026 College Scorecard release.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College ScorecardPage compiled September 16, 2026Download source data ↗
01 · Earnings after completion
Black Hills State University’s median earnings were $48,243 four years after completion and $46,420 five years after completion, based on 525 and 499 working graduates, respectively.
The red marker shows the federal earnings threshold where available. Earnings cover graduates who were working and not enrolled; they do not include every former student.
02 · Cost after grant aid
Black Hills State University reported a $15,911 average net price. Published lower-income figures were $11,863 for households below $30,001 and $13,379 for households from $30,001 to $48,000.
| Federal income band | Average net price |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $11,863 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $13,379 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $15,588 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $18,072 |
| $110,001+ | $18,604 |
Average net price is cost of attendance minus average grant and scholarship aid for the defined cohort. Your actual price depends on the institution’s aid offer.
03 · Student progress and aid
Black Hills State University reported a completion rate of 40.5%, a retention rate of 71.9%, a Pell-recipient share of 20.0%, and a federal-loan share of 27.6%.
These percentages have different denominators. Completion and retention describe first-time student cohorts; Pell and federal-loan shares describe undergraduate aid receipt.
04 · Federal student debt
Median federal debt among Black Hills State University completers was $26,000 across 342 reported borrowers. The figure is cumulative debt, not annual cost or a monthly payment.
$26,000
Borrower repayment progress after four years: Not reported across a reported cohort of 664 undergraduate completers.
05 · Field-of-study evidence
2 Black Hills State University programs met this site’s evidence threshold, including Business Administration, Management and Operations and Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.
A program page requires at least 75 working graduates plus published four-year earnings and median debt. This is our evidence threshold, not a federal rating.
06 · Nearby comparison set
This report lists 6 other public institutions in South Dakota that match Black Hills State University on state and control type; the set is not ranked.
Answers at a glance
The Black Hills State University FAQ reports $15,911 average net price, $48,243 four-year median earnings, and $26,000 median federal debt.
The reported average net price was $15,911 for the applicable Title IV student cohort. It is a cohort average, not an individual aid offer.
Black Hills State University’s median earnings were $48,243 four years after completion and $46,420 five years after completion, based on 525 and 499 working graduates, respectively.
Median federal debt among Black Hills State University completers was $26,000 across 342 reported borrowers. The figure is cumulative debt, not annual cost or a monthly payment.
