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, with an acceptance rate of about 79.87% in federal reporting 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%
- Average SAT Score: 1245
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.
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:
- Other/Unknown Programs (502 completions)
- Mechanical Engineering (93 completions)
- CIP 140801 (48 completions)
- CIP 143501 (42 completions)
- CIP 140701 (36 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (35 completions)
- Electrical & Electronics Engineering (32 completions)
- Engineering - 14.2001 (29 completions)
- CIP 142101 (23 completions)
- Area Studies (22 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.
Costs
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
Costs include tuition and fees. Room & board, books, and other expenses are additional.
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.
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
79.87% Acceptance Rate
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
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.
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.
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.
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 Programs Reporting Data
Mechanical Engineering: 93 completions
CIP 14.0801: 48 completions
CIP 14.3501: 42 completions
CIP 14.0701: 36 completions
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services: 35 completions
Electrical & Electronics Engineering: 32 completions
Engineering - 14.2001: 29 completions
CIP 14.2101: 23 completions
Area Studies: 22 completions
Other/Unknown Programs: 502 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.
About
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public institution located in Rapid City, SD, offering 32 distinct degree programs across various academic disciplines. The institution enrolls approximately 2,071 students. The admission rate is 79.87%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1245. The institution maintains a 52.95% graduation rate. Approximately 16.87% of students receive Pell Grants.
Institution Type
Public
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.
FAQ
How much does South Dakota School of Mines and Technology cost?
Reported in-state tuition is $10,500 and average net price is $20,183 in the latest College Scorecard data.
How hard is it to get into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
The admission rate is 79.9% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data.
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.
How big is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
Total enrollment is about 2,071 students in the latest reporting year.
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.
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
Using a 25% Hispanic enrollment threshold on College Scorecard demographics, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology does not meet that proxy (reported share 5.7%).
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology religiously affiliated?
No religious affiliation is reported for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in IPEDS institutional characteristics.
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 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.