Following is the mission statement of Black Hills State University as stated in SD Codified Law 13-59-1:

"The primary purpose of Northern State University, at Aberdeen in Brown County, and Black Hills State University, at Spearfish in Lawrence County, is the preparation of elementary and secondary teachers, and a secondary purpose is to offer pre-professional, one-year and two-year terminal and junior college programs. Four-year degrees other than in education and graduate work may be authorized by the Board of Regents.”

The mission of Black Hills State University as it appears in the Board of Regents Policy Manual
(1:10:4, adopted 08/06) states:

The legislature established Black Hills State University as a liberal arts university to meet the needs of the State and region by providing undergraduate and graduate programs.

The Board implemented SDCL 13-59-1 by authorizing undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences and in professional education, to promote excellence in teaching and learning, to support research, scholarly and creative activities, and to provide service to the State of South Dakota and the region. Black Hills State University is the only multipurpose university in Western South Dakota.