South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
#4 Best Bachelor's Programs in South Dakota- Graduation Rate
- 56% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $72,257 A
- Top 6% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $20,183 C-
- 18% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 80% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.1 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Bachelor's Programs in South Dakota.
Every $1 spent returns $21.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,622,882.
What The Data Says
-
A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Graduates earn 77% more than the national college median.
-
Every $1 invested returns $21.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Matters
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public university in Rapid City, SD and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 6% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,071
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Physical Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics
Why students choose South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 80% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1140–1340. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,183 a year after grants and scholarships — 18% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $72,257 ten years after enrolling — 77% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.56 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
At South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, students who have a strong interest in fields like engineering, computer science, and the physical sciences find a welcoming environment. With an acceptance rate of 80%, the school is a great fit for those who are ready to dive into rigorous technical studies. The focus here is on preparing students for careers in high-demand areas, where they can engage deeply with subjects like biology, mathematics, and statistics.
Graduates from this school can expect to earn around $72,257 within ten years of completing their degree. That’s a solid figure that highlights the potential for upward mobility in their careers. While the graduation rate sits at 56%, the opportunities available to graduates in engineering and related fields often lead to stable employment and advancement. For many, this translates to a promising start in their professional lives.
When considering the financial aspect, the net price after aid is about $20,183, with a median debt of $27,000. This makes the school relatively affordable, especially for students who are focused on engineering and technology careers. Those who thrive here tend to be motivated and ready to tackle the challenges of a STEM education, making the most of the hands-on learning experiences the school emphasizes.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Rapid City, South Dakota, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,245. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 80%
- Retention Rate
- 84%
- SAT Average
- 1245
- ACT Midpoint
- 27
- SAT Range
- 1140–1340
- ACT Range
- 24–30
- Full-Time Faculty
- 88%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,245
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.33
- First-Gen Students
- 18%
- Applicants
- 1,514
- Admitted
- 1,252
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend South Dakota School of Mines and Technology? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is $14,900, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,183. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,348 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,500
- Out-of-State
- $14,900
- Avg Net Price
- $20,183
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 17%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 40%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $15,348
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $17,909
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $18,366
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,993
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology earn a median of $72,257, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $62,863
- 8 Years
- $66,297
- 10 Years
- $72,257
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.37x
- Earning > $25K
- 81%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (115)
- 19%
- 100% (115)
- 19%
- 100% (115)
- 19%
- 100% (115)
- 19%
How South Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,183/year ($80,732 total). Graduates earn $72,257 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,703,614 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,622,882 (21.1× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 56% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $80,732
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,703,614
- Net Return
- $1,622,882
- ROI Multiple
- 21.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,183
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $87,697
Top Programs
The fields South Dakota School of Mines and Technology awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Engineering 69% $89,059 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 12% $72,503 early-career
- Physical Sciences 8%
- Mathematics & Statistics 3%
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
- Business & Marketing 2%
- Humanities 1%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Rapid City, South Dakota, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,245. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend South Dakota School of Mines and Technology? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is $14,900, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,183. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,348 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology earn a median of $72,257, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
How Connected Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Its economic connectedness score is 1.56, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
- Mount Saint Mary's UniversityLos Angeles, CA · Close peer53% grad $72,379 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Connecticut-StamfordStamford, CT · Close peer57% grad $73,997 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of RedlandsRedlands, CA · Close peer69% grad $72,690 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Regis UniversityDenver, CO · Close peer61% grad $72,105 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- La Salle UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · Close peer58% grad $67,416 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Pacific Lutheran UniversityTacoma, WA · Close peer70% grad $66,990 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Its economic connectedness score is 1.56, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note