Rapid City, SD · Public · 2,071 undergraduates · urban
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Less selective
A public university composed entirely around engineering and science disciplines, with especially rare mining and geological programs.
Institutional profile
Regionally focused Solid in career outcomes, and steady in affordability.- Admission
- 85.3% admitted
- Price by income
- Resident and nonresident prices differ
- Completion
- 57.3%
1,539 applicants in the reported year
Compare recent average annual costs by household income
$72,257 median earnings 10 years after enrollment
What sets South Dakota School of Mines and Technology apart
Academic design
The university offers engineering and science degrees ranging from mining, geological, mechanical, civil, electrical, chemical, and biomedical engineering to computer science, geology, physics, and related disciplines.
Campus pattern
Rapid City gives students access to Black Hills geology, outdoor recreation, engineering employers, and field sites, while campus culture is heavily shaped by labs, design teams, research, and technical clubs.
Defining feature
A public university composed entirely around engineering and science disciplines, with especially rare mining and geological programs.
Can I get in?
85.3% admitted
Start with academic preparation, then show why this particular academic and campus environment fits you.
Recent applicant pool
1,539About 85 in every 100 applicants were admitted.
Academic range
Of admitted students, 26% submitted an SAT, and 78% submitted an ACT. Most of the admitted class submitted, which makes going without a conspicuous choice.
In the season card
Where your GPA sits in the entering class
The full entering-class GPA distribution for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, in nine bands from 4.0 down, with your own record marked on it.
See where I landIn the season card
What South Dakota School of Mines and Technology weighs when it reads a file
See how this college describes the role of grades, testing, essays, recommendations, activities, and demonstrated interest.
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Test scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurriculars
- Demonstrated interest
What moves the application
The evidence that separates a strong file
Show preparation for this curriculum
The university offers engineering and science degrees ranging from mining, geological, mechanical, civil, electrical, chemical, and biomedical engineering to computer science, geology, physics, and related disciplines.
Make the fit specific
A public university composed entirely around engineering and science disciplines, with especially rare mining and geological programs.
Account for the tradeoff
Keep academic direction and school-specific choices coherent across the application.
How to apply
Rounds, route, and required materials
Build the calendar around the earliest realistic application round and make the school-specific case concrete.
$20 application fee
Can I afford it?
Compare annual cost by household income.
Start with the average net price for your income range, then set that estimate beside your other realistic options.
In the season card
Average annual cost by household income at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Compare recent average net prices across five federal income ranges and estimate a 4-year cost for yours.
- $0–30k
- $30–48k
- $48–75k
- $75–110k
- $110k+
Is it worth it?
Completion, debt, and earnings
A public university composed entirely around engineering and science disciplines, with especially rare mining and geological programs.
Degree completion across the reported entering cohort
First-year students who return for year two
And what that comes to against what they earn.
Reported 10 years after enrollment
Academic portfolio
Largest bachelor’s fields
How many students finish in each field, and median earnings four years after completing the program.
Mechanical Engineering
Admits separately
Chemical Engineering
Admits separately
Civil Engineering
Admits separately
Industrial Engineering
Admits separately
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
Admits separately
What is campus life like?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology beyond the classroom
Rapid City gives students access to Black Hills geology, outdoor recreation, engineering employers, and field sites, while campus culture is heavily shaped by labs, design teams, research, and technical clubs.
A defining academic feature
The university offers engineering and science degrees ranging from mining, geological, mechanical, civil, electrical, chemical, and biomedical engineering to computer science, geology, physics, and related disciplines.
What shapes an ordinary week
Rapid City gives students access to Black Hills geology, outdoor recreation, engineering employers, and field sites, while campus culture is heavily shaped by labs, design teams, research, and technical clubs.
What changes the experience
A public university composed entirely around engineering and science disciplines, with especially rare mining and geological programs.