Black Hills State University
Spearfish, SD, USA

Reviews

Black Hills State University

LeeSah from Spearfish, SD

a current student here
8 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I've only been here at Black Hills State for 2 months, however I have been learning a lot and the classes and class sizes are very accomidating and not too long or overcrowded.
Am enjoying being here
I have recently discovered that I want to further my education in Transportation Technology, unfortunately, I am unable to further this education here at Black Hills State since they do not offer it.
Bang for the buck
Black Hills State University is small in comparison to many colleges around the country, however they offer a lot of the same classes for just the same level of education, only cheaper.
Tips for prospective students
Make sure you stay on task. No matter what the circumstances your in, there will always be a way to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Your the only one who can make an amazing future for yourself, it all depends on how bad you want it and are you ready to put in the hard work it will take for it. I assure you, the outcomes will be far greater than what you dreamed if you never give up.
Great for these types of students
If your a student looking for a quiet place to learn and study to further your education, then Black Hills State is for you. The prices are low, the people are welcoming, and the atmosphere is always changing for the positive.

Katrina from Johnsburg, IL

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Black Hills State is an absolutely gorgeous environment! The people and faculty here actually care and want what is best for you. This school really offers everything you need for success, a good education, and a fantastic,safe college experience.
Tips for prospective students
Go into your classes with an open mind, and actually go to class!
Give yourself time to adjust to the environment and ways of college.
Be positive!
Academic Rigor
I gave the rigor a three because the homework load is pretty easy, they really build you up so you don't give blind sided by it. Also, the in class participation is very important and helpful.
Dorm Life
Dorm life is great. You make a lot of friends and, at least here in Heide, we have a lot of activities to participate in. Everyone is super friendly and fun!
Food and Dining
They always have well balanced meals and a lot of options. Of course, cafeteria food can get old, but here it is always tasty!
What to do for fun
Hope you are outdoorsy! A lot of the activities here are outdoors and a lot of fun. Also, a good way to make friends is have a movie and homework night!
Bang for the buck
Compared to a lot of other schools the tuition here is cheap. However, that doesn't mean it lacks in educational advances or opportunities. Your education is really what you make it, and if you can save money while doing just that it is even better!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Frisbee golf is huge here! Learn how to throw a frisbee!
Great for these types of students
It is a great place for someone who really loves a small, safe environment but is also really outdoorsy and adventurous. If nature and small town feel is what you love then BHSU is certainly for you!
Clubs and Activities
There is literally every type of club you can imagine here from Rodeo to Students In Free Enterprise! Also, hiking is big. Going to sporting events is a good activity too!
Greek Life
There really isn't one. Our Greek life is more our athletics and clubs that have houses off campus.
Campus Safety
Black HIlls State is a pretty small campus filled with really nice people. Safety was a huge thing for me and I am very pleased. If you ever feel uncomfortable you can either call campus security and they will be glad to walk you to your hall or any of your friends can join you in a walk as well!

Melissa from Box Elder , SD

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
I love going to BHSU. The staff and instructors are very helpful and informative. The class sizes are built to help you learn.
Tips for prospective students
Choose a degree that fits your personality. If you love what you are learning then your more able to learn effectivly.
Academic Rigor
The classes are built to push you, but the instructors are always there to help you if you are experiencing trouble.
Dorm Life
I dont know about the dorms, I live off campus.
Food and Dining
In the University Center in Rapid City, the food is great. They have just a small shop in there, but the food that is available is pretty good.
What to do for fun
I am a non-traditional student. I dont usually explore many of the things that are available to students.

Casie from Spearfish, SD

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Black Hills State University has made me feel at home. All the professors are very approachable and always there. Black Hills State University has a small campus and is very beautiful.
Tips for prospective students
The Professor's are all very open and want you to go in and see them, so do it! Another thing join student organizations that you are interested in to get involved.
Academic Rigor
The Professor's are always pushing you and making you want to strive to be the best. They also work along beside you and can teach you so much.
Dorm Life
The Residents Halls are a great way to meet people. The students that live in the Residents Halls are all very friendly. The residents halls all have kitchens, a social lobby with a T.V. and a study lobby so you can study where you live.
Food and Dining
The are many different choices of food including a salad bar, deli bar, market place, grill, desert bar, Mongolian grill and a pasta and pizza place. They all have many choices of food.
What to do for fun
Spearfish Canyon is very close there is lots of hiking, rock climbing and a few waterfalls. There is also a bike path through the canyon and a disk golf course too. On campus there are many things to do as well. Different organizations put on events like movie nights, dances, game nights and Bingo.
Bang for the buck
Black Hills State has very good classes and it a very cheap school. All college is expensive but I have Found Black Hills State to be a very good school that is in a good price range.
Great for these types of students
It is great for any type of student because the classroom sizes are small which make it easier to get more one on one time with the professors.
Clubs and Activities
There are so many different clubs and organizations on campus that there is something for everyone. At the beginning of each semester they have fair where you can walk around and find out what there is to get involved in. It's easy you just sign your name up and the club will send you can email about when and where they meet. Joining the clubs is also a great way to get to know lots of people.
Campus Safety
We have very good campus security. There are lights all around campus that turn on at dark, all the Residents Halls have a key card access so only students who live there and there guests have access. At night if you are walking across campus alone you can call campus security and they can escort you if you want. I have always felt safe walking across campus.

Malarie from Marysville, OH

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Black Hills State University is a beautiful campus. It is a very laid back environment, yet there is still the sense of excitement. Black Hills State university challenges students not only to excel in school, but to find out who they really are.
Tips for prospective students
Know what you are getting yourself into. College is so different from living at home and from high school. Be smart about money, that will save you so much stress and time.
Academic Rigor
Professors challenge students to learn on their own, and explore different academic avenues.
Dorm Life
Dorm life is so much fun. There are so many opportunities just in meeting new people and having fun. Dorms are decent sized, and each room has a sink and a mirror. The restrooms are community restrooms, but the showers have individual stalls. The rooms have wonderful views in most cases, and the windows are big, allowing the room to feel more welcoming.
Food and Dining
The food is good. There is a variety of selections in the cafeteria, that include vegetarian choices
What to do for fun
Since campus is located in the famous Black Hills, there is always something to do. We have hiking, trails, rock climbing, water activities, snowboarding and skiing. There are tourist attractions near by, such as Mt.Rushmore, Deadwood, Sturgis, Crazy Horse statue, The Badlands, and much more. There is never a dull moment here!
Bang for the buck
The school has great living environments. There is a wonderful recreation center, that is free for use to Black Hills State students. The campus is so clean and beautiful. The staff and students take pride in the beauty of the campus. d
Clubs and Activities
There are clubs and activities for everyone. Every type of club is on campus. Expressive clubs, academic clubs, recreational clubs, adventure clubs, and religious organizations are just a few examples of what BHSU offers.
Campus Safety
Security guards will walk students to needed destinations at night if needed.

Ashley from Scottsbluff, NE

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
This is a beautiful campus that is currently in the makings of becoming more and more green oriented with each semester. If you enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and fishing this is the place for you. Surrounded by the gorgeous Black Hills with their red rock, hills, and trees; there;s something here for everyone.
Tips for prospective students
Getting involved on campus is the easiest thing to do. Students here are super friendly and the campus is just the right size; not too big, and not too small. Make sure you have a backup plan when going home as the roads in the winter can get kind of iffy
Academic Rigor
Classes can prove to be challenging but this is how we grow. The teachers are amazing and will do what they can to help out.
Dorm Life
The dorms at Black Hills State aren't the newest buildings on campus. Most are only two floors which is good for move-in day, and the facilities in them are excellent.
Food and Dining
The Hive, or the cafeteria, boasts having an amazing selection of gourmet food. This is true most of the time, though some dishes can be a surprise as to what they're going to come up with next.
What to do for fun
Endless possibilities await at campus. Outdoor adventures, clubs aplenty, two coffee shops, amazing downtown area, and dorm activities are sure to keep anyone busy.
Bang for the buck
Black Hills State University is definitely a good school to consider as it is a relatively low tuition price for a 4-year school.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
At BHSU we celebrate Native American Day as there is an abundance of Sioux Indians in the area. Powwows and other celebrations are held on this day to share the Native American culture with the surrounding communities.
Great for these types of students
BHSU boasts so many things that it's perfect for any student who doesn't mind a smaller campus and a smaller town.
Clubs and Activities
There are so many things to do in the area and on campus that there can never be a dull moment.
Greek Life
There is only one sorority and no fraternities at BHSU. We are not too forward on Greek life.
Campus Safety
Campus is small enough that its a short walk to any dorm, and campus alert sends out text message and emails warning about weather or outside information for students to be on alert.

The1and10

accepted here and planning to attend soon
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
If you are looking for a school where you can get a great education and be surrounded by 4 seasons of incredible beauty BHSU is the place to be!

You can finish class by noon and be on the mountain snowboarding by 1pm, back to study by 5pm, and in bed by whenever you want!

So many majors, but so little time makes me want to live to be 100 so I could do them all! But then again, maybe I should actually get a job and make some money with at least one major....?
Tips for prospective students
If you want a smaller campus, BHSU is a good place to get a quality education without being overwhelmed by the size of a bigger school. The dorms and classroom buildings are within a reasonable distance of each other. You don't need a car at all. As far as classes go, for you freshmen, if you are not sure if you are going to finish your college cirriculum within the SD system, don't register for the wellness class. Many out of state schools don't require it and if you transfer, that's a few hundred dollars spent on a class you won't need.
Academic Rigor
I have not experienced my first classes yet at BHSU but I have heard the standards are within reach, but not like a repeat of high school either. There will be hard classes and easy ones. Part of the fun of college is to have the mix between the ones that really challenge, and the ones that you just enjoy because they have broadened your horizon of the world.
Dorm Life
I don't live in the dorms but I know people that do and they love it. They have met so many new friends there. Even kids that are from Spearfish live in the dorms because of the social interaction and life long friends they meet there.
Food and Dining
Aviands is the catering company that runs the food service and is located in the new expanded student union building, which is really modern and updated. Their food ranges from Chinese to homestyle barbecue and is awesome and really affordable.
What to do for fun
When attending BHSU, if you cannot find something fun to do, you aren't looking hard enough!! Locally we have a great recreation center both on campus and also a new water park for all of us that are here during the summer. Mountain biking, snowboarding, and skiing are the summer/winter mountain sports. Spearfish has movie theatres, a bowling alley, plays in both the on-campus and off campus community theatres plus there are many clubs and special interest groups throughout the campus. Rapid city is only 45 minutes away where there is great shopping as well as indoor amusement parks - one of which has carts you can race with friends.
Bang for the buck
BHSU offers a good quality education for an amazing cost especially if you are wanting to be a teacher since teaching is the foundation of the university. My major is still somewhat iffy, and I am taking my generals in order to get them done and I know they will transfer anywhere within the system, or out of state.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Swarm week is a lot of fun, and its the homecoming week. The old rivalry between the School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City is always a fun grudge match to watch whether that is football, basketball, etc.
Great for these types of students
Since South Dakota and the states surrounding it are rural in nature, kids that are not used to big cities will really appreciate the size and scale of the university. Its also a great escape for those that are tired of big communities. If you are into winter sports or hunting, the Black Hills offers all that, plus more. Also, if you are unsure of your major you can take all your general courses and then figure out what major.
Clubs and Activities
I haven't been to school yet so I don't know what is offered, but I know that there is an interest group list on their website and it includes just about everything you can think of. The way to meet people is to join those groups.
Greek Life
I am unsure if there are any fraternities or sororities. If there are any, they're really low key.
Campus Safety
This place is so safe you could.....accidentally leave the car unlocked and have about an 80% chance that things will be okay.....or - walk across the campus at midnight and only hear the sound of snowflakes falling...or - be within 2 minutes of help in case you really needed it.

Tabbie from Douglas, WY

accepted here and planning to attend soon
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
BHSU is one of the most beautiful campuses I've visited. If you're looking for a mixture of on/off campus adventure this is the place. Wonderful community as well!
Academic Rigor
Since they offer smaller classes, it is easier to find help either from your teacher or a fellow class member. Sometimes the classes you worry about the most (whether is be difficulty or work load) are some of the easiest to find help for. Most of the Professors are know who you are and want to help you as well.
Dorm Life
Most of the dorm rooms are fairly larger than most universities. Some have even gone through recent redoes and are much better than their 1980 set up!
Food and Dining
The cafeteria isn't the worst, but thankfully there are plenty of options are offered in place of solely ''mystery meat''.
Bang for the buck
Being an out-of-state student, I was very excited when I found out that my tuition was much less than other places. It is a huge difference when you only pay 8,000 versus 12,000 +.

Jordan from Gillette, WY

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
It is a great college, in a great community. I would love to stay here if they had a nursing program but am forced to leave. I would come back for another degree.
Tips for prospective students
Great faculty and students, as well as a wonderful community to be in and around. It is beautiful here and a great place for adventure.
Academic Rigor
Great teachers that make it fun and easy to learn everything you need to know.
Dorm Life
You meet great new people and enjoy great faculty to help you with anything.
Food and Dining
Great dining with a lot of options.
What to do for fun
There are several things, very common around here is hiking, biking, fishing, climbing, and slack lining. It is a more laid back fun than a party fun.

Meghan from Rapid City, SD

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The teachers care about your education and your learning. But I wonder how helpful it will be when I leave college. Still, I think the program and involvement available are worth the tuition.
Tips for prospective students
Get to know people in each of the offices on campus. They are usually nice and give you a different perspective on campus life. If you have a problem, bring it up - they may be able to fix it or help you get a better idea of why that rule exists. Always ask if you have a question. Most teachers and staff are happy to answer.
Academic Rigor
Some classes are very easy. Some classes are very hard. While I really love this college and the classes, some classes should be harder than they are, because they have no prerequisites. Overall, though, most classes are very good, especially if you spend the time on them.
Dorm Life
Depends on the dorm. Some dorms have a very close knit community, while others are full of students who don't know each other at all at the end of the year. Some dorms are really nice, while others were definitely built in the fifties and sixties.
Food and Dining
A'viands runs the cafeteria, as well as coffee and snack kiosks in the library and student union. The staff are friendly and helpful and will create meals for individuals with special dietary needs if you ask for them. They are also very helpful with any unusual requests. The only downside is that sometimes the meals on weekends aren't particularly healthy or tasty.
What to do for fun
BHSU has a many different activities offered on campus as well as off campus. This area is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts, due to the variety of conditions that make it possible to play outside all year round. There are clubs that offer activities almost weekly, and special events at least once a month. A great place for pretty much everyone - there's always something to do.
Bang for the buck
I would say that the campus community makes this college one well worth the money.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The arch - the arch is left from a dorm that burned down in the '20s, and is right next to an apple orchard. A great place to study any time, it is especially popular in the fall.
Great for these types of students
Students who love the outdoors and those who want more hands-on learning.
Clubs and Activities
There are many clubs on campus, for everything from skydiving to campus ministries. The college prides itself on encouraging students to create their own club if they don't find one they would like to join. Many clubs offer activities for students outside of the club, and the bulletin boards are often full of flyers for upcoming events, all of which are good.
Greek Life
There are two sororities, both based on academics.
Campus Safety
While the dorms are rather spread out from the rest of campus, this area is very safe. If at any time you feel uncomfortable walking across campus, students are invited to call campus security for an escort.