SPEARFISH, S.D. – Black Hills State University saw an overall enrollment increase of 2.4 percent for Fall 2025, including the first rise in student credit hours since 2013 and growth in first-time freshmen for the fifth consecutive year with 500 enrollees, the highest count since 2019.
Retention continues to elevate, achieving a 72 percent rate this fall, an 11 percent increase since 2021.
“This is a very exciting time for BHSU,” President Steve Elliott said. “University enrollment is a team effort, and I am very proud of the work our faculty and staff have done over this past year to make BHSU a place of opportunity for our students. As a result of our collaborative efforts, we are gaining momentum and seeing healthy enrollment increases in both degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking students, which is a positive indicator for Black Hills State.”
The Fall 2025 headcount is 3,425 — up from 3,346 in Fall 2024 — while total credit hours grew from 30,844 to 31,151 over the past year.
Compared to Fall 2024, the American Indian student population grew by 58 percent to a headcount of 142. First-time graduate student enrollment more than doubled, and the Veteran/Veteran Dependent headcount reached its highest level since Fall 2018.
An exciting new array of academic programs is currently being developed to meet the needs of the Black Hills region, including new specializations in agribusiness/ranch management and finance, which are now being offered this fall. BHSU also relaunched its Master of Business Administration degree in a flexible format, available in Spearfish, Rapid City, and online, with a one-year accelerated option.
The South Dakota Board of Regents publishes enrollment numbers at the beginning of each academic year. For additional information, please contact info@sdbor.edu or visit sdbor.edu.