DU vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Denver in Denver, 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 Denver is larger than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology based on total student enrollment (12,813 students vs. 2,576 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is in Rapid City, SD (Small City setting).
• University of Denver is a private, 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 Denver 9:1; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 12:1.

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? 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 DU ($20,267 vs. $45,451).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are 47.6% lower than at University of Denver ($9,300 vs. $17,759).
• University of Denver is 484.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $50,898 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $10,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 312.1% higher at DU than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $46,498 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $14,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Denver than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (99% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Denver students is 536.6% larger than aid received by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students ($33,955 vs. $5,334).

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

Which college is harder to get into, DU 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 DU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Denver (1330) is 90 points higher than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (1240).
• Incoming DU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Denver 1240/1410; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Denver 28/33; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DU - Test optional; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DU Jan 15, 2027; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Feb 15, 2027.
• 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 (79.9%) than DU (77.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at DU vs. 38.1% at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

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

How do outcomes compare for DU 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 Denver's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's (48%).
• Graduates from University of Denver earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,400 vs. $60,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Denver graduates have a $3,801 lower median loan debt than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($23,699 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, DU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.