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South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Rapid City, SD·Public·2,071 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $62,400 within 10 years.

80%
Accept
2,071
Students
$20,183
Net Price
53%
Grad Rate
$62,400
Earnings
10 yr
$27,000
Debt

About This School

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public institution located in Rapid City, South Dakota with approximately 2,071 undergraduate students enrolled. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 80%. The average net price after financial aid is $20,183 per year. The graduation rate is 53%, and the typical graduate earns $62,400 within 10 years of enrollment.

The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is a public university in Rapid City, South Dakota, United States. It is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents and was founded in 1885. South Dakota Mines offers bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

Worth considering if you're drawn to engineering or applied sciences on a tight budget — at $20,380/year average net price and a median debt of just $17,306 at graduation, this school is genuinely affordable compared to most STEM programs. The $62,400 median earnings at 10 years out is solid given that low debt load, meaning graduates aren't stretched thin. The one real concern: a 58% graduation rate suggests a meaningful number of students struggle to finish, so go in knowing this program demands serious commitment.

Founded
1885
Setting
Small city
Avg Faculty Salary
$11,245

Popular Programs

Engineering73%
Computer Science10%
Biological Sciences3%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

James AbourezkAnne-Grete Strøm-ErichsenWalter Dale MillerTodd Tiahrt

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1245
Reading 75th %ile660
Math 75th %ile680

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite27

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$10,500
Out-of-State Tuition
$14,900
Avg Net Price
$20,183
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$15,348
$30–48k$17,909
$48–75k$18,366
$75–110k$21,176
$110k+$21,993

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants17%
Median debt at graduation$27,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
53%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
84%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$62,400
after enrollment
Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$58,900
Female graduates$48,500

Gap: 18% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$56,400
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$62,400
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.3x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White82%
Black1%
Hispanic/Latino6%
Asian2%
Two or more races3%
American Indian/Alaska Native1%
International1%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,071 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

501 E Saint Joseph St

Rapid City, SD 57701-3995

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in South Dakota

Browse all South Dakota schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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