About Black Hills State University

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About Black Hills State University

Where you start has everything to do with what you can achieve.

Spectacular settings have a way of inspiring amazing opportunities, and when your surroundings have as much history, intrigue and majesty as the Black Hills of South Dakota …there’s no telling just how far your education will take you.

Founded in 1883, Black Hills State University is a four-year, public liberal arts institution. We take great pride in providing students, faculty and alumni with a world-class university experience. It’s a feeling you’ll notice as soon as you set foot on campus – and one you’re sure to carry with you to all the accomplishments and achievements waiting for you after graduation.

ENROLLMENT: 4,076
CAMPUS: 123 acres
MASCOT: Yellow Jacket (Sting)
SCHOOL COLORS: Green & Gold
FACULTY WITH TERMINAL DEGREE: 69%
HOUSING: 5 Residence Halls (All Co-ed), 8-Building Apartment Complex
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: More than 80 majors and minors for bachelor’s degrees, 5 associate degree programs, 17 pre-professional programs and 4 master’s degrees
STUDENT BODY: 84% from South Dakota from 64 of the 66 South Dakota counties, 16% from 43 other states and 16 countries
FINANCIAL AID: 83% of BHSU students receive assistance
AFFILIATION: 4-year South Dakota public liberal arts university
ACCREDITATIONS: National Association of Schools of Music, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, South Dakota Department of Education and Cultural Affairs, Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board

Black Hills State University Transforms lives

BHSU has earned more than $35 million in grant funding in the last 5 years.

Enrollment at BHSU reached an all-time record high in fall 2009.

Record enrollment of 4,076 students in Fall 2009
- Third largest university in the state
- Students from 64 of the 66 S.D. counties
- Students from 44 states and 25 countries
Three largest majors: Business, Education, Biology
More than 30 percent of BHSU students are adult learners
33 percent increase in graduate students over the past 5 years
Nearly 1 in 4 students at BHSU is the first in their family to go to college
Grants and contracts to BHSU have increased 500% over the last decade.
Grant funding strengthens our research infrastructure and enhances research facilities without additional state appropriations.
Grant funds have:
- Paid the cost of more than 30 FTE FY09
- Funded $891,415 in scholarships the last 3 years
Nearly 50 BHSU faculty, staff and students are involved in DUSEL/SUSEL initiatives at the Sanford Lab.

In FY09, BHSU stewarded the State’s $8.3 million general fund investment to create an additional $33 million of direct spending and an additional 290 jobs in South Dakota.

BHSU impacts the State Economy by creating economic opportunity in the State of South Dakota.

Only 15 percent of the University’s budget comes from the State general fund.
None of the 68 FTEs that have been created at BHSU since 2003 were funded by state dollars.
Of the 415 FTE at BHSU, 290 (70%) are paid from funds other than the state.
- These employees contribute to state and local economies through their everyday living expenses.

BHSU is committed to workforce development.

24 percent of South Dakotans over age 25 hold at least a bachelor’s degree.
- South Dakota needs 55 percent to address the workforce needs in the Information Age and Global Economy.
- To meet this goal, we must graduate 400 more individuals statewide each year.
During the past 4 years, the number of individuals completing BHSU programs has increased by 35%.

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