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South Dakota School of Mines and Technology vs South Dakota State University

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public university in Rapid City, SD. South Dakota State University is a public university in Brookings, SD. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology admits about 80% of applicants and South Dakota State University about 98%, making South Dakota School of Mines and Technology the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $19,841 a year at South Dakota State University after aid, and about $20,183 at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. About 61% of students graduate at South Dakota State University, compared with 56% at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Ten years after enrolling, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology alumni earn a median of about $72,257, against $55,070 for South Dakota State University.

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South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Rapid City, SD · Public

South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Rapid City, SD
Brookings, SD
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
2,071
9,198
Acceptance rate
80%
98%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.44–3.94
3.19–3.69
SAT (middle 50%)
1140–1340
1060–1240
ACT (middle 50%)
24–30
19–25
Test policy
Considered
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$20,183
$19,841
Full cost / yr
$25,385
$24,636
In-state tuition
$10,500
$9,299
Out-of-state tuition
$14,900
$12,809
Application fee
$20
$20
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$15,348
$14,266
$30k - $48k
$17,909
$15,248
$48k - $75k
$18,366
$18,073
$75k - $110k
$21,176
$20,706
Over $110k
$21,993
$21,886
Outcomes
Graduation rate
56%
61%
Freshman retention
84%
84%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$62,863
$49,564
Median earnings (10 yr)
$72,257
$55,070
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
$23,250
Student body
Pell grant recipients
17%
17%
First-generation students
18%
20%
International students
1%
4%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Aug 15
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology or South Dakota State University harder to get into?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is harder to get into. It admits about 80% of applicants, compared with 98% at South Dakota State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology or South Dakota State University?
South Dakota State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $19,841 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $20,183 at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and South Dakota State University?
Before aid, South Dakota State University costs about $24,636 a year and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology about $25,385. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology or South Dakota State University?
South Dakota State University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $14,266 there, against about $15,348 at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology or South Dakota State University?
South Dakota State University is the larger of the two, with about 9,198 undergraduates against 2,071 at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
Does South Dakota School of Mines and Technology or South Dakota State University have a better graduation rate?
South Dakota State University has the higher graduation rate, at about 61% against 56% at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
Do graduates of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology or South Dakota State University earn more?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology alumni earn more on average: a median of about $72,257 ten years after enrolling, against about $55,070 for South Dakota State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and South Dakota State University require SAT or ACT scores?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. South Dakota State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and South Dakota State University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1140–1340 at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and 1060–1240 at South Dakota State University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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