Spearfish, SD · Public

Black Hills State University Cost, Tuition and Student Budget 2026

Black Hills State University cost profile summarizes tuition, total annual cost, average net price, student debt, median earnings, graduation outcomes, and value signals for 2026 budget-focused university comparison.

Budget Snapshot Moderate value signal Value Score:
Total Cost$21,277
Net Price$15,911
Median Earnings$46,674
Graduation Rate42.6%
Median Debt$15,000
Admission Rate96.3%
Student Count1,928
SAT Average1,087

Black Hills State University Student Budget Calculator 2026

Estimate how much money you may still need per year using this university's reported cost data plus your grants, family support, savings, work income, and student loans.

Estimated annual cost $15,911
Money available $0
Still needed per year $15,911
Monthly gap $1,326

Four-year projection: about $63,644 still needed over four years if the same gap repeats.

Loan projection: borrowing $0 per year equals about $0 over four years, compared with reported median debt of $15,000.

This calculator is an estimate. Actual aid, housing, residency status, program fees, family income, and borrowing limits can change the final budget.

University Cost and Earnings View

Money Profile

Median earnings$46,674Total cost$21,277Net price$15,911Median debt$15,000

Value Score Comparison

Black Hills State Unive...52.1Dataset avg54.3SD avg52.6
Median earnings17% weaker than dataset average
$46,674
Total annual cost51% better than dataset average
$21,277
Average net price26% better than dataset average
$15,911
Graduation rate14.2 percentage points weaker than dataset average
42.6%
Median debt8% better than dataset average
$15,000

How This University Cost Compares

Dataset Average

Value Score: 54.3

Net Price: $21,437

Earnings: $55,928

SD Average

Value Score: 52.6

Net Price: $20,997

Earnings: $52,499

Best Use of This Page

Compare this university against schools with similar location, type, net price, total cost, debt, and earnings. A high value score is useful, but graduation rate and debt should be read together with it.

Student Fit Signals

  • Affordability: Net price is $15,911, compared with reported total cost of $21,277.
  • Outcomes: Median earnings are $46,674 and the graduation rate is 42.6%.
  • Debt pressure: Median debt is $15,000, while the loan share is 27.6%.
  • Access profile: Admission rate is 96.3% and Pell Grant share is 20%.
Full University Cost Data Snapshot
School TypePublic
LocationSpearfish, SD
Admission Rate96.3%
In-State Tuition$8,764
Out-of-State Tuition$11,866
Total Cost$21,277
Net Price$15,911
Median Earnings$46,674
Graduation Rate42.6%
Median Debt$15,000
Pell Grant Share20%
Loan Share27.6%
Average Faculty Salary$8,430
Official WebsiteVisit website

Value Score Methodology

Value Score = earnings 18.7 + graduation 10.7 + net price 9.7 + total cost 7.3 + debt 5.7 = 52.1/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt.

Earnings18.7$46,674 · max 40 pts
Graduation10.742.6% · max 25 pts
Net Price9.7$15,911 · max 15 pts
Total Cost7.3$21,277 · max 10 pts
Debt5.7$15,000 · max 10 pts

The score is a comparison signal on a 0-100 scale. It is not a guarantee of future salary, admission outcome, financial aid, or final student cost.