South Dakota School of Mines and Technology vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Dakota is larger than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology based on total student enrollment (10,619 students vs. 2,576 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is located in Rapid City, SD (Small City setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 12:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology or USD? 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 University of South Dakota than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ($19,133 vs. $20,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are 10.2% lower than at University of South Dakota ($9,300 vs. $10,356).
• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is 11.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $1,068 more per year; $10,500.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.1% higher at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology than at University of South Dakota (about $1,958 more per year; $14,900.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology than at University of South Dakota (84% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Dakota students is 5.4% larger than aid received by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students ($5,623 vs. $5,334).

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology or USD? 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 USD and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (1240) is 20 points higher than at USD (1220).
• Incoming South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 1140/1340; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 24/30; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.1% at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology vs. 24.1% at USD.

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

How do outcomes compare for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and USD? 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).

• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than USD graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $48,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Dakota graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($258 vs. $284).
• More South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 70%)

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.