Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Spearfish

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Spearfish historic commercial district, Lawrence County, SDPhoto: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 3.0
Colleges in and near Spearfish

Spearfish is home to Black Hills State University

Black Hills State University (2,135 students on campus) is inside the city. About 11% of Spearfish’s residents are enrolled in college, above South Dakota (5%).

Black Hills State University

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Spearfish. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
1
2,135 students on campus
Nearest college
2.7 mi
Black Hills State
Residents in college
11%
Above SD (5%)
Nearest community college
42.6 mi
Western Dakota Technical College · $8,294 tuition
Nearest public university
2.7 mi
Black Hills State · $8,764 in-state
Median household income
$66K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Spearfish

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university in SpearfishBlack Hills State University has 2,135 students on campus in Spearfish, 43% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Black Hills StateLiving in South Dakota, Black Hills State University charges $8,764 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $11,866. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 42.6 miles awayWestern Dakota Technical College in Rapid City: tuition and fees $8,294 a year for South Dakota residents.Students are 11% of residentsAbove South Dakota (5%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Spearfish

It is public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Spearfish.

5 mi10 mi15 miBlack Hills StateSpearfish
University or collegeCommunity college
Black Hills State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 2,135 on campus · In Spearfish96%admitted$16knet price43%graduate$47kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Spearfish’s median household income ($65,688) falls.

Black Hills State UniversityIn Spearfish · sticker $21,277$15,588a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Spearfish: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Black Hills State
Black Hills State University43% graduate$47k earnings$26k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Spearfish

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Black Hills State University, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 22%Biology 15%Education 11%Visual & performing arts 8%Liberal arts 7%Parks & recreation 7%Everything else 29%

Biggest programs

Business Administration, Management and Operations82 graduates a year
$60k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods41 graduates a year
$45k4 yrs out
Biology, General27 graduates a year
$41k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness26 graduates a year
$56k4 yrs out
Community Organization and Advocacy21 graduates a year
$43k4 yrs out
Psychology, General20 graduates a year
$42k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas14 graduates a year
$53k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Spearfish

Is Spearfish a college town?

No. About 11 of every 100 Spearfish residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above South Dakota (5). The largest campus in the city, Black Hills State University, has 2,135 students on campus.

What colleges are in Spearfish?

Black Hills State University is inside the city. Western Dakota Technical College is 42.6 miles away in Rapid City.

What is the closest community college to Spearfish, and what does it cost?

Western Dakota Technical College in Rapid City, 42.6 miles away. Tuition and fees are $8,294 a year for South Dakota residents; the federal net price, $12,670, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Black Hills State University cost if we live in South Dakota?

Tuition and fees are $8,764 a year in-state and $11,866 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $11,863 (under $30,000 income) to $18,604 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Spearfish. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →