Colorado State vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado State University Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO with South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 2,576 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado State University Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting); South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is in Rapid City, SD (Small City setting).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 12:1.

Colorado State vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or South Dakota School of Mines and Technology? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology than Colorado State ($20,267 vs. $21,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are 44.7% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($9,300 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 27.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $2,873 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $10,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 133.4% higher at Colorado State than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $19,883 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $14,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (84% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students is 90.5% larger than aid received by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students ($10,160 vs. $5,334).

Colorado State vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado State or South Dakota School of Mines and Technology? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and Colorado State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (1240) is 50 points higher than at Colorado State (1190).
• Incoming South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Colorado State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Test optional; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado State students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (3.57).
• Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 38.1% at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Colorado State vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado State and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Colorado State University Fort Collins's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's (48%).
• Graduates from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than Colorado State graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates have a $6,496 lower median loan debt than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($21,004 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Colorado State graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($217 vs. $284).
• More South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado State students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.