CU Boulder vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, 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.

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 2,576 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is in Rapid City, SD (Small City setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder 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: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 12:1.

CU Boulder vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder ($20,267 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are 49.6% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($9,300 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 49.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $5,166 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $10,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 201.5% higher at CU Boulder than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $30,018 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $14,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology than at University of Colorado Boulder (84% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 110.4% larger than aid received by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students ($11,225 vs. $5,334).

CU Boulder vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 100 points higher than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (1240).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Boulder 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).
• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than CU Boulder (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 38.1% at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

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

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder 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).

• University of Colorado Boulder's six-year graduation rate (68%) 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 $3,100 more per year than CU Boulder graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($201 vs. $284).
• More South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Boulder students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 73%)

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.