BHSU Crowned South Dakota’s Best, No. 1 In Affordability In 2026 Rankings

Black Hills State University has earned top honors in Research.com’s 2026 rankings. The Spearfish campus was named the best college in South Dakota and also ranked number one for affordability. University President Steve Elliott says the recognition highlights BHSU’s welcoming spirit and commitment to personalized education at an exceptional value. The rankings were based on extensive data analysis from sources including Peterson, IPEDS, and College ScoreCard, measuring quality, affordability, popularity, and time to degree. With this double distinction, BHSU is being celebrated for offering both academic excellence and outstanding value to students across the state.