DU vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Should I go to University of Denver or South Dakota School of Mines and Technology? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if DU or South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

CU Boulder CU Denver Colorado School of Mines Colorado State AU USD Gonzaga Creighton University Elon Loyola Marymount Chapman UO
University of Denver vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology comparison
University of Denver South Dakota School of Mines and Technology College 3 College 4
University of Denver South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

DU South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Location Denver, CO Rapid City, SD
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 13,734 2,492
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #82 #362
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website du.edu sdsmt.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

DU South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Tuition (In State) $55,260 $7,820
Tuition (Out of State) $55,260 $12,240
Room & Board $15,470 $8,020
Avg Net Price $42,423 $21,124
Avg Grant Aid $30,954 $5,431
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 90%

Admission

DU South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,342 1,514
Admitted 15,024 1,252
Acceptance Rate 77.7% 82.7%
Enrolled % 10.9% 43%
Avg High School GPA 3.72 3.57
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 28/32 23/29
SAT Range 1220/1400 1160/1378
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Feb 15, 2025

Academics

DU South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Student to Faculty Ratio 8:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (42%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Engineering (76%)
  • Physical Sciences (9%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (5%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (3%)

Outcomes

DU South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Graduation Rate 78% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $63,400 $60,000
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 79%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,699 $27,500
Median Loan Payment $245 $284

Diversity

DU South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
% Men 38% 76%
% Women 62% 24%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 84%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 10% 4%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 9% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

DU South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
% In-State 25% 37%
% Out-of-State 71% 62%

Campus

DU South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Denver is larger than than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology based on total student enrollment (13,734 students vs. 2,492 students)

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

Which college is more expensive, DU or South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?

  • University of Denver is 606.6% more expensive to attend than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology for in-state tuition ($55,260.00 vs. $7,820.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 351.5% higher at DU than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ($55,260.00 vs. $12,240.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology than DU ($21,124 vs. $42,423)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are 92.9% lower than costs at University of Denver ($8,020 vs. $15,470)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Denver than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (99% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Denver students is 470% larger than aid received South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ($30,954 vs. $5,431)

DU vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DU or South Dakota School of Mines and Technology? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between South Dakota School of Mines and Technology or DU .

  • The average SAT score at University of Denver (1249) is 49 points higher than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (1200)
  • Incoming DU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (27)
  • Accepted freshman DU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (3.57)
  • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has a higher acceptance rate (82.7%) than DU (77.7%)

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

Which is better, DU or South Dakota School of Mines and Technology? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and DU.

  • The graduation rate at DU is higher than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (78% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from University of Denver earn on average $3,400 more per year than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates after ten years. ($63,400 vs. $60,000)
  • University of Denver students graduate with a $3,801 lower median federal student loan debt than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates. ($23,699 vs. $27,500)
  • DU graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates. ($245 vs. $284)
  • More South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DU students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 72%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/