South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Rapid City, South Dakota. It enrolls 2,071 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
71/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes58
Value77
Affordability31
Selectivity57
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 79.9%, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
79.9%
Easy
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1140 – 1340
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
24 – 30
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
8.7 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending South Dakota School of Mines and Technology isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $20,183 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$20,183
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
17%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
40%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$10,500
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$14,900
Room & Board (on-campus)
$9,300
Room & Board (off-campus)
$12,300
Books & Supplies
$1,900
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$5,000
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$5,000
Total Cost of Attendance
$25,385
Application fee: $20 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$15,348
$30,001 – $48,000
$17,909
$48,001 – $75,000
$18,366
$75,001 – $110,000
$21,176
Over $110,000
$21,993
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,75010%percentile
$7,14025%percentile
$27,000Medianpercentile
$29,50075%percentile
$37,56490%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $22,375
↓ $4,625
No Pell $13,000
↓ $14,000
Dependent students $16,250
↓ $10,750
Independent students $27,750
↑ $750
Female students $16,500
↓ $10,500
Male students $17,500
↓ $9,500
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,250, less than completers ($27,000), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
42% of full-time students who enrolled at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduate within six years, and 84% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
42%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
84%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered South Dakota School of Mines and Technology earn a median of $72,257 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$72,257
Earning > $25K
88%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$48,200
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$67,100
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$52,600
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$66,100
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$66,500
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $18,900, about 28% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Stable ↑
2.7 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 96% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is home to 2,071 students, a mid-sized community.
Total Enrolled
2,071
Part-Time
13%
First-Generation
18%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 81.8%1,693
Hispanic 5.7%118
Other 3.8%78
Asian 1.9%39
Black 1.5%30
International 1.4%28
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Small CityRapid City, South Dakota
Housing
Mostly residential1,083 beds on campus
Adult Learners
6%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
50 distinct programs across
9 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is 12:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
12:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$13,170
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$100M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$96,421
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
153 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
37
24%
$128,260
Associate Professors
38
25%
$105,341
Assistant Professors
43
28%
$82,848
Instructors
11
7%
$68,721
Lecturers
24
16%
$70,229
Pros & Cons of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
A quick at-a-glance summary of how South Dakota School of Mines and Technology tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Above-average post-graduation earnings
CONS
Below-average completion rate
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; students prioritizing post-graduation earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions about South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology hard to get into?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 79.9%.
What is the acceptance rate at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has an acceptance rate of 79.9%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
The middle 50% of admitted students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology scored between 1140 and 1340 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
The middle 50% of admitted students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology scored between 24 and 30 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does South Dakota School of Mines and Technology cost?
The average net price after aid at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is $20,183 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $72,257 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $20,183 per year. That's roughly 3.6x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology known for?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is best known for its programs in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are $72,257, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology accredited?
Yes. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology enrolls 2,071 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates 42% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology a public or private college?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a Public institution.
Where is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology located?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is located in Rapid City, South Dakota.
What programs does South Dakota School of Mines and Technology offer?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology offers 50 distinct programs. The most popular include Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
The student-to-faculty ratio at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is 12:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in South Dakota
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