South Dakota School of Mines and Technology vs. UW

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wyoming is larger than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology based on total student enrollment (10,813 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 Wyoming is in Laramie, WY (Remote Town setting).
• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wyoming is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 12:1; University of Wyoming 13:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology or UW? 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 Wyoming than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ($14,872 vs. $20,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are 32.2% lower than at University of Wyoming ($9,300 vs. $13,710).
• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is 35.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW (about $2,732 more per year; $10,500.00 vs. $7,768.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.3% higher at UW than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $9,278 more per year; $24,178.00 vs. $14,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wyoming than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (90% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wyoming students is 91.5% larger than aid received by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students ($10,212 vs. $5,334).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (1240) is 100 points higher than at UW (1140).
• Incoming South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at UW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 1140/1340; University of Wyoming 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 24/30; University of Wyoming 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology - Test optional; UW - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Feb 15, 2027; UW Aug 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at UW (3.53).
• UW has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) 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. 23.8% at UW.

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

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

• University of Wyoming's six-year graduation rate (53%) 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 $8,600 more per year than UW graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wyoming graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($18,500 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, UW graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($191 vs. $284).
• More South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UW students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 75%)

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.