South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Acceptance
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public research university in Rapid City, South Dakota, enrolling about 2,071 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 79.87% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $72,257 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $10,500
- 2024 Average Net Price: $20,183 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 79.87% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 2,071 86.6% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 52.95%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
- First-Generation Students: 18.3%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition decrease of 0.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 4.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 88.0%
- Average SAT Score: 1245
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,536
- Applicants (IPEDS): 1,539
- Room & Board: $9,300 annual estimate
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology: what the data shows
Common questions about South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is located in Rapid City, SD (ZIP 57701-3995).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology public or private?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a Public institution.
How much does South Dakota School of Mines and Technology cost?
Published tuition: $10,500 in-state, $14,900 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $20,183.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $15,348 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $17,909 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $18,366 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $21,176 |
| $110,001+ | $21,993 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $42,000.
How hard is it to get into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
Admission rate: 79.87%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1245 and midpoint ACT 27.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
Total enrollment: 2,071 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,536 students.
Graduate enrollment: 360 students.
About 87% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
150%-time completion rate: 52.95%.
First-year retention: 84.1%.
What do graduates of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology earn?
Median earnings: $62,863 six years after entry; $72,257 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $27,000.
16.87% of students receive Pell grants.
What is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Mechanical Engineering (93 completions)
- Civil Engineering, General (48 completions)
- Industrial Engineering (42 completions)
- Chemical Engineering (36 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (35 completions)
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering (32 completions)
- Metallurgical Engineering (29 completions)
- Mining and Mineral Engineering (23 completions)
- Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering (22 completions)
- Geological/Geophysical Engineering (16 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 79.87%; completion rate 52.95%; median earnings $72,257 at 10 years; net price $20,183. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$10,500
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology was $10,500.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$20,183
2024 Value
In 2024 South Dakota School of Mines and Technology had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $20,183.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$80,732 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$20,183 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$42,000 4-Year In-State Tuition
$59,600 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$9,300 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,900 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$21,700 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$86,800 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
Financial Aid by Income Level
16.87% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
40.37% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $10,040 | $12,870 | $16,443 |
| 2014 | $10,040 | $13,560 | $17,723 |
| 2015 | $11,170 | $14,940 | $18,131 |
| 2016 | $11,160 | $15,320 | $20,097 |
| 2017 | $10,400 | $14,580 | $19,759 |
| 2018 | $10,560 | $14,820 | $19,078 |
| 2019 | $10,770 | $15,080 | $19,815 |
| 2020 | $11,020 | $15,400 | $19,919 |
| 2021 | $12,110 | $16,530 | $19,592 |
| 2022 | $10,440 | $14,860 | $21,282 |
| 2023 | $10,400 | $14,800 | $20,380 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
79.87% Acceptance Rate
1,539 Total Applicants
1,312 Students Admitted
496 First-Time Students Enrolled
37.80% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1245
ACT Average: 27
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.3 - 3.5
Estimated Median GPA: 3.40
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology reported total enrollment of about 2,071 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 79% male and 21% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (81.8%), Hispanic or Latino (5.7%), and Race/ethnicity unknown (4.1%). About 16.87% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 18.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
86.6% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in 2024 is 2,071 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 2,536 students. Graduate enrollment is about 360 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
84.1%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 81.8%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
24.07% 100% Completion Time
52.95% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 24.07% of students graduating from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Mechanical Engineering: 92% male / 8% female
- Civil Engineering, General: 65% male / 35% female
- Industrial Engineering: 79% male / 21% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
Return on Investment
$27,000 Median Student Debt
$72,257 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
37.37% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
795.02% Return on Investment
3.7 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 32 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Mechanical Engineering: 93 completions
2. Civil Engineering, General: 48 completions
3. Industrial Engineering: 42 completions
4. Chemical Engineering: 36 completions
5. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 35 completions
6. Electrical and Electronics Engineering: 32 completions
7. Metallurgical Engineering: 29 completions
8. Mining and Mineral Engineering: 23 completions
9. Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering: 22 completions
Most popular programs at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 88.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $11,245
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $13,495
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public institution located in Rapid City, SD, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, General, Industrial Engineering. Enrollment is approximately 2,071 students. Student body composition includes White (81.8%), Hispanic or Latino (5.7%), Race/ethnicity unknown (4.1%). The admission rate is 79.87%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1245. The 150%-time completion rate is 52.95%. Approximately 16.87% of students receive Pell Grants. About 18.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
Location
Rapid City, SD 57701-3995
Region: Plains
Insights and Analysis
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology located?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is located in Rapid City, SD.
What is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is 79.9% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 1,539 applicants and 1,312 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does South Dakota School of Mines and Technology cost?
Reported tuition is $10,500 and average net price is $20,183 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $9,300 annually.
What is the student body demographics at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology reports undergraduate enrollment of about 2,536 students, White (81.8%), Hispanic or Latino (5.7%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
About 18.3% of students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology reports midpoint SAT about 1245 and midpoint ACT about 27.
What do graduates of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology earn?
Median earnings are $62,863 six years after entry and $72,257 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
The 150%-time completion rate is 52.9% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $27,000.
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology public or private?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public institution located in Rapid City, SD.
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology an HBCU?
No. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology a tribal college?
No. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- South Dakota college costs
- South Dakota colleges by ROI
- Rapid City, South Dakota city profile
- Plains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in South Dakota
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.