South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Rapid City, SD 57701-3995
About South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
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 findings
- South Dakota School of Mines and Technology charges about 1.9× the national public median tuition ($10,500).
- Versus the South Dakota median, sticker tuition is 19% above.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 52.95%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $72,257.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 795% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | $10,500 | $20,183 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,512 | — | 1,688 |
| South Dakota (state median) | $8,845 | $15,911 | 19 |
| Town (locale median) | $9,600 | $14,971 | 1,517 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology really?
Key findings
- South Dakota School of Mines and Technology charges about 1.9× the national public median tuition ($10,500).
- Versus the South Dakota median, sticker tuition is 19% above.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $10,500
Finding South Dakota School of Mines and Technology charges about 1.9× the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $10,500. That is about 1.9× the national public median ($5,512). Versus the South Dakota median ($8,845), sticker tuition is 19% above. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is 12% below.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is $20,183.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $20,183 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $4,272 above the South Dakota median net price. Versus town campuses, net price runs $5,212 above the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$10,500
Out-of-state tuition
$14,900
Avg. net price
$20,183
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $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. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is known for
Top program completions
- Mechanical Engineering93
- Civil Engineering, General48
- Industrial Engineering42
- Chemical Engineering36
- Computer and Information Sciences, General35
See earnings & programs for more.
Admissions landscape
- Broad access — most applicants are admitted.
- Yield: 38% of admitted students enrolled.
- Average SAT: 1245
- Midpoint ACT: 27
See Admissions for the full funnel.
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
Campus
Location
Rapid City, SD
City / state
- ZIP
- 57701-3995
- NCES locale
- Town
Compared with Town campuses nationally, net price is 35% above the median for Town campuses ($14,971 median).
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Plains
- Carnegie
- Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
Size
Enrollment
2,071
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 2,536
- Graduate
- 360
- Full-time share
- 87%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$27,000
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 16.87%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
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.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Applicants → admits → first-time enrollment from College Scorecard / IPEDS. Bar widths are scaled for readability at highly selective schools.
Test Scores
Average 1245 (middle 50% not reported)
Midpoint 27 (middle 50% not reported)
Scores for enrollees who submitted tests (College Scorecard).
Academic Requirements
Estimated from admission selectivity and test scores. Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
Estimated range · median 3.40
Estimated GPA band from selectivity and test scores — not an official requirement.
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
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
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
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates earn a median of $72,257 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $72,257. Median federal loan debt: $27,000. Average net price used in cost models: $20,183.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates report median earnings of $72,257 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (32 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$100.2M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- South Dakota median 2.9× the median ($34M)
- Plains median 4.2× the median ($24.1M)
- U.S. median 3.8× the median ($26.4M)
- South Dakota median 1.9× the median ($25,074)
- Plains median 3.2× the median ($15,020)
- U.S. median 4.0× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 88.0%
- South Dakota median 22.4 pp above median (65.7%)
- Plains median 23.3 pp above median (64.7%)
- U.S. median 30.1 pp above median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $11,245
- South Dakota median 1.6× the median ($7,234)
- Plains median 1.6× the median ($7,194)
- U.S. median 1.5× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $13,495
- South Dakota median 1.8× the median ($7,480)
- Plains median 1.7× the median ($8,150)
- U.S. median 1.9× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology at a glance
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public institution in Rapid City, SD, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Mechanical EngineeringCivil Engineering, GeneralIndustrial Engineering
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian81.8%Hispanic or Latino5.7%Race/ethnicity unknown4.1%
Schools near South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Other campuses in Rapid City, SD when available, plus nearby institutions in South Dakota.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade C) within South Dakota, then by similar ownership and admissions.
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.
What is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's tuition?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $10,500 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $20,183 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
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 explains South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($20,183), completion (52.9% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($72,257). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
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.
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
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 Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.