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South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Admission Requirements

Rapid City, South Dakota

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Your chances of getting into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

82.7%
Admission Difficulty for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is 82.7%.  Its admission rate is the 8th lowest in South Dakota.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and can you get accepted?

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 1,252 out of the 1,514 who applied were admitted.

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.57. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 43% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?

83% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.57 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1270 on the SAT
  • Score 26 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.57

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are to have around a 3.57 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.57 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as South Dakota School of Mines and Technology accepts 83% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is 3.57 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #3 in South Dakota for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 26% of students submitted SAT scores and 81% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1160-1378

Applicants Submitting SAT 

26%
SAT Scores for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 570
Math 25th Percentile 590
Composite 25th Percentile 1160
SAT Scores for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 680
Math 75th Percentile 698
Composite 75th Percentile 1378
Average SAT Score 1270

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is 1270 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1160-1378. Students who get into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology score in the top 31 percent of all SAT test takers..  South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ranks #1 in the state of South Dakota and #233 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1270 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1160 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1160, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1050, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1270 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1269, you have around a 83% chance of being admitted. A 1378 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 90% chance of getting in.

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1378 and Above Good >90%
1269 to 1378 Avg + 83%-90%
1160 to 1269 Avg - 72%-83%
1051 to 1160 Reach 57%-72%
Less than 1051 Low <57%
Calculate My Chances 

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

23-29 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

81%
ACT Scores for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 21
Math 25th Percentile 24
Composite 25th Percentile 23
ACT Scores for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 29
Math 75th Percentile 29
Composite 75th Percentile 29
Average ACT Score 26

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is 26, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 23 and 29.  The school ranks #1 in South Dakota for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 26. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 23 and score in the score in the top 32 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 20.

Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 81 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 26 score has around 83% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 90% with a 29 ACT score.

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
29 and Above Good >90%
26 to 29 Avg + 83%-90%
23 to 26 Avg - 72%-83%
20 to 23 Reach 57%-72%
Less than 20 Low <57%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

56% of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 24% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 24%
Top 25% of class 56%
Top 50% of class 86%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 382 1,127 1,514
Accepted 312 936 1,252
Acceptance Rate 82% 83% 83%
Enrolled 126 412 538
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 40% 44% 43%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

84

Applicants have 84 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Feb 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is $20.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and what student information is used for admission decisions?

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.57 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1270 and ACT of 26 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=219347 IPEDS survey data for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Last updated February 24, 2024