South Dakota School of Mines and Technology campus

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South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

  • 7/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Rapid City, SD
  • 5.0 3 reviews
#1 Best Public Universities in South Dakota
Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

2,576
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology overview
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology overview
  • Size Small
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT) is located in Rapid City, South Dakota, positioned near the Black Hills mountain range and approximately 30 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The public engineering and science university, established in 1885 to support the region's mining industry, operates on a 120-acre campus featuring a mix of historic limestone buildings and modern research facilities. SDSMT maintains a focused academic profile with specialized programs in engineering, science, and technology, with particular strengths in geological engineering, metallurgical engineering, and mining engineering. The institution provides on-campus housing through several residence halls and maintains Division II athletic programs, competing as the Hardrockers in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

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Ratings

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is rated within the top 40% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    7 out of 10
  • Academics
    8 out of 10
  • Resources
    8 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    6 out of 10
  • Value
    4 out of 10
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Rankings

Rankings for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Difficult
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1140/1340
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 24/30
  • GPA 3.57

Acceptance Rate

79.9%
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology applications overview
  • Applications Due Feb 15, 2027
  • Enrollment Rate 38.1%
  • Application Fee $20

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

South Dakota Resident Tuition

$10,500

Out of State Resident Tuition

$14,900

Breakdown

In State Costs for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
  • Tuition $10,500
  • Books and Supplies $1,900
  • Other Fees $2,700
  • Room and Board $9,300
  • Budget for Other Expenses $5,000
  • Total One Year Cost $29,400
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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$60,000 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

48% within 6 years
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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are Engineering, Physical Sciences, and General Studies. 76% of students major in Engineering, 9% in Physical Sciences, and 6% in General Studies.

  • Engineering 76%
  • Physical Sciences 9%
  • General Studies 6%
  • Computer and Information Sciences 5%
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities 3%
View All 17 Majors

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=219347.

GPA calculator: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026