More selective than 22% of South Dakota colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
1% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 73% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose BHSU over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
We don't have BHSU's Common Data Set yet, the college's own report of what it weighs in admissions, early decision and waitlist numbers. Work at BHSU or have its file? Send it to us.
BHSU SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, BHSU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 465 | 565 |
| SAT math | 500 | 570 |
| ACT composite | 18 | 24 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 965 | 1135 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
BHSU admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 96% | 465–565 | 500–570 | 18–24 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 94% | — | — | 18–23 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is BHSU compared with other South Dakota colleges?
BHSU has the 8th-lowest acceptance rate of 10 South Dakota colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Augustana University | 68% | 73% | $23,894 |
| 3 | Dakota Wesleyan University | 73% | 48% | $19,735 |
| 4 | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | 80% | 53% | $20,183 |
| 5 | University of Sioux Falls | 83% | 63% | $21,383 |
| 6 | Dakota State University | 88% | 51% | $21,057 |
| 7 | Northern State University | 93% | 49% | $15,812 |
| 8 | Black Hills State University | 96% | 43% | $15,911 |
| 9 | South Dakota State University | 98% | 62% | $19,841 |
| 10 | University of South Dakota | 99% | 60% | $19,858 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All South Dakota colleges →
Who enrolls at BHSU
College Scorecard; IPEDS
BHSU admissions questions
What is the BHSU acceptance rate?
Black Hills State University accepts 96% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 1,527 of 1,617 applicants were admitted.
Does BHSU require the SAT or ACT?
Black Hills State University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 1% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 73% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for BHSU?
The middle 50% of Black Hills State University enrolled first-year students scored 965–1135 on the SAT and 18–24 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at BHSU?
32% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (489 of 1,527).
Is BHSU getting harder to get into?
Black Hills State University accepted 96% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 94% for Fall 2023.
Is BHSU the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Black Hills State University overview