Nebraska vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Nebraska Lincoln in Lincoln, NE 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 Nebraska Lincoln is larger than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology based on total student enrollment (24,393 students vs. 2,576 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nebraska Lincoln is located in Lincoln, NE (Large City setting); South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is in Rapid City, SD (Small City setting).
• University of Nebraska Lincoln 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 Nebraska Lincoln 17:1; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 12:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Nebraska 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 University of Nebraska Lincoln than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ($18,322 vs. $20,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are 34.1% lower than at University of Nebraska Lincoln ($9,300 vs. $14,120).
• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nebraska (about $66 more per year; $10,500.00 vs. $10,434.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 91.8% higher at Nebraska than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $13,684 more per year; $28,584.00 vs. $14,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nebraska Lincoln than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (94% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska Lincoln students is 97.6% larger than aid received by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students ($10,541 vs. $5,334).

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

Which college is harder to get into, Nebraska 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 Nebraska.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (1240) is 30 points higher than at Nebraska (1210).
• Incoming South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Nebraska).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska Lincoln 1098/1330; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska Lincoln 22/28; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nebraska - Test optional; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Nebraska May 1, 2027; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Nebraska students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (3.57).
• Nebraska has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.8% at Nebraska vs. 38.1% at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

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

How do outcomes compare for Nebraska 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 Nebraska Lincoln's six-year graduation rate (67%) 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 $10,400 more per year than Nebraska graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $49,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska Lincoln graduates have a $5,800 lower median loan debt than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($21,700 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Nebraska graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($224 vs. $284).
• More South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nebraska 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.