Black Hills State University: programs, outcomes and local jobs

Black Hills State University at a glance

• 1,928

  students enrolled

• 521

  degrees and certificates a year

• 43%

  of students complete

  College Scorecard

• $15,911

  average net price a year

  Tuition $7,616 in state, $10,718 out of state

• $38,927

  median earnings, 6 years after entry

• $46,674

  median earnings, 10 years after entry

  89% working

What students study

AI and data programs

Black Hills State University reported no degrees or certificates in artificial intelligence, data science, data analytics or robotics for 2024. A new program with no graduates yet would not appear here.

The job market around Black Hills State University

Professional jobs listed in the cities of Lawrence County, where the college is.

Layoff notices in Lawrence CountySouth Dakota layoff noticesSouth Dakota rapid response

• 8

  open professional jobs

• 2

  entry level

• 0%

  ask for AI skills

  0 jobs

• 1.9%

  unemployment in Lawrence County

  2026-08 · down 0.3 points from a year earlier

• $66,766

  median household income

  Lawrence County

• 37%

  of workers are in professional jobs

  estimated 1.2% unemployment among them

Jobs that fit what students study here: most degrees are in business & management, education, biological sciences, which lead to finance (2 open), human resources (3 open).

Hiring most: GPAC (4), Albertsons Companies (1), Dakota State University (1), Safeway (1), TEKsystems (1).

What they hire for: Human Resources (3), Finance (2), Engineering (1). Human Resources jobs

Job search help near campus

Workforce board: South Dakota Workforce Development Council.

• Spearfish American Job CenterSpearfish · 605-773-3372 · Monday -Friday Call for an appointment

American Job Centers are free, public career offices.

Similar colleges in South Dakota

• Dakota State UniversityMadison · 2,071 students
• South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyRapid City · 2,071 students
• Northern State UniversityAberdeen · 1,273 students
• Oglala Lakota CollegeKyle · 1,097 students
• Sinte Gleska UniversityMission · 487 students
• Sisseton Wahpeton CollegeSisseton · 194 students

All South Dakota colleges

Common questions

How big is Black Hills State University?

Black Hills State University enrolls about 1,928 students and is a public 4-year institution in Spearfish, South Dakota. It awards about 521 degrees and certificates a year.

What is the graduation rate at Black Hills State University?

43% of students complete, from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS 2023 / Scorecard 2026-06).

What do Black Hills State University graduates earn?

Median earnings of students who received federal aid are $38,927 six years after entry and $46,674 ten years after entry, from the College Scorecard.

Does Black Hills State University offer AI or data science degrees?

Black Hills State University reported no degrees or certificates in artificial intelligence, data science, data analytics or robotics for 2024 (IPEDS completions). A new program with no graduates yet would not appear.

Are there jobs near Black Hills State University?

8 open professional jobs are listed in Lawrence County, 2 of them entry level and 0 saying no experience is needed. GPAC has the most openings.