Black Hills State University
Black Hills State University is a four-year, public liberal arts institution located at 1200 University Street, Spearfish, South Dakota. It was founded in 1883 as the Dakota Territorial Normal School long before South Dakota gained its statehood. The people of the then Black Hills Dakota Territory had always held education on high regard and actively advocated for the establishment of a university in the area. It was renamed in 1941 as the Black Hills Teachers College which was reflective of its curriculum and reputation as a successful institution for teacher training. It went on to become Black Hills State College as its curriculum expanded and finally became officially known as Black Hills State University before the end of the 1980s.
The university presently occupies a 123-acre land overlooking the City of Spearfish. The campus houses 26 academic buildings situated at the North South orientation. Its surrounding area offers many historic landmarks as well as entertainment and merchandise outlets.
Undergraduate programs are offered through 80 majors and minors in the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business Technology and the College of Education. Master’s degree programs, pre-professional programs, associate degree programs and certificate courses provide a wider range of options for the university’s students. There are also programs of study that are offered for online learning.
South Dakota residents are given a lower rate in educational cost than non-residents. Approximate total yearly cost for the former is $ 12,814.00 while it is $ 14,278.00 for the latter. Housing fees range from $ 1,350.35 to $ 2,501.55 per semester. On the other hand, dining fees range from $ 695.00 to $ 1,411.30 per semester depending on the number of meals. Total enrolment is 4,004, 81% of whom are from South Dakota. Seventy-seven percent of the faculty holds terminal degrees in their respective fields.
