10-yr median earnings
$72,257
Federal aid recipients only
Public · Rapid City, South Dakota
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public institution in Rapid City, South Dakota. as a public institution, published Scorecard outcomes are the federal Title-IV cohort view of former students — not every graduate and not a guarantee for any one enrollee.
- $20,183
- Avg net price / yr
- $72,257
- 10-yr median earnings
- 55.6%
- 150%-time completion
- 79.9%
- Acceptance rate
The verdict
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology pairs top-10% former-student earnings with a moderately open admit.
According to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
- Top 6%
- former-student earnings, US
- 79.9%
- acceptance rate
- 55.6%
- 150%-time completion
- +15%
- earnings, 6→10 yrs
City: Small
Carnegie: Master's (M)
Institution data retrieved July 2026; field-of-study data retrieved March 2026.
How to read this South Dakota School of Mines and Technology profile
Figures above come from IPEDS institution records published through the College Scorecard (retrieved July 2026 for institution fields; March 2026 for field-of-study). Peer groups and cost cohorts follow IPEDS ownership sector, Carnegie class ("Master's Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs"), and locale, not an editorial shortlist.
Average net price subtracts grant and scholarship aid from cost of attendance for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients. It is a defined cohort average, not a personalized price; income-band fields add context but do not replace the school's current net-price calculator.
Earnings use Treasury-linked records for federally aided former students who were working and not enrolled in the measurement year (completers and noncompleters). IPEDS completion and retention use separate first-time, full-time cohorts, so those denominators are not the earnings cohort. Read cost, completion, and earnings as distinct historical measures, not a causal verdict or individual forecast.
College Value Score
C+
College Value Score
60/100
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
A 6-metric composite of earnings, cost, and completion outcomes benchmarked against every reporting US college, not a ranking of teaching quality, campus life, or fit for any individual student. See the full methodology.
Earnings A+
$72,257
10-year median former-student earnings
Net Price F
$20,183
Average annual cost after grants and aid
Completion Rate D
55.6%
Completion within 150% of normal time
Debt F
$27,000
Median federal debt at graduation
Loan Repayment A+
95.7%
Borrowers repaying loans within 3 years
Retention B
84.1%
First-year students returning for year two
Each axis is the percentile score shown in the breakdown at left; the shape shows this school's overall profile at a glance.
Avg net price
$20,183
After grants and scholarships
150%-time completion
55.6%
Full-time, first-time cohort
150%-time completion vs portal median (57.1%) 55.6%
Four-year-institution cohort
College ROI Quadrant - South Dakota School of Mines and Technology vs peers
Each dot is a college plotted by 10-year median earnings (x-axis) vs average net price (y-axis), colored by completion within 150% of normal time. Bottom-right = high earnings/lower price; top-left = lower earnings/higher price.
How South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ranks nationally
Where this school's former-student earnings fall within the full national distribution of every US college that reports to the College Scorecard, not just its peer set.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology: former-student earnings vs. every US college
10-year median earnings, College Scorecard
$72,257 Top 6% higher than 94% of 5,103 US colleges
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US colleges. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard · Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals
| Metric | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | National rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-yr median earnings | $72,257 | #329 of 5103 | 94th |
| Average net price | $20,183 | #3120 of 5020 | 38th (lower is better) |
| 150%-time completion | 55.6% | #2554 of 4858 | 47th |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,071 | #1441 of 5462 | 74th |
National ranks count every operating US college reporting each metric to the College Scorecard, separate from the earnings histogram above.
Quick Facts
2,071
Undergraduate enrollment
79.9%
Acceptance rate
1,245
SAT average
55.6%
150%-time completion
$72,257
10-yr median earnings
84.1%
First-year retention
How South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ranks in South Dakota
State rank among 21 reporting South Dakota colleges with College Scorecard data, a separate lens from the national distribution above.
| Metric | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | State rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-yr median earnings | $72,257 | #1 of 21 | 95th |
| Average net price | $20,183 | #16 of 21 | 24th (lower is better) |
| 150%-time completion | 55.6% | #11 of 21 | 48th |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,071 | #5 of 24 | 79th |
Highest former-student earnings in South Dakota
| # | School | 10-yr earnings | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyThis school | $72,257 | $20,183 |
| 2 | Augustana University | $59,217 | $23,894 |
| 3 | South Dakota State University | $55,070 | $19,841 |
| 4 | University of Sioux Falls | $54,521 | $21,383 |
| 5 | Dakota Wesleyan University | $53,728 | $19,735 |
| 6 | University of South Dakota | $51,926 | $19,858 |
| 7 | Dakota State University | $50,970 | $21,057 |
| 8 | Mitchell Technical College | $50,743 | $13,460 |
| 9 | Mount Marty University | $48,179 | $22,227 |
| 10 | Northern State University | $47,618 | $15,812 |
| 11 | Southeast Technical College | $46,709 | $17,400 |
| 12 | Black Hills State University | $46,674 | $15,911 |
Admissions
| Admission Rate | 79.9% |
| SAT Average | 1,245 |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 580 – 680 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 560 – 660 |
| ACT Average | 27 |
| ACT (25th-75th) | 24 – 30 |
Costs & Financial Aid
Net price by family income at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Average annual net price after grants; Title IV recipient cohort by income bracket
- $0 – $30k
$0 – $30k
$15,348 net price / yr
- $30k – $48k
$30k – $48k
$17,909 net price / yr
- $48k – $75k
$48k – $75k
$18,366 net price / yr
- $110k+
$110k+
$21,993 net price / yr
What this shows Need-based aid pulls net price down at lower brackets at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology - compare the bar for your income band, not the overall average alone.
Tuition & Net Price
| In-State Tuition | $10,500 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $14,900 |
| Average Net Price | $20,183 |
16.9%
Pell Grant Rate
40.4%
Federal Loan Rate
$27,000
Median Debt
$286/mo
Monthly Payment
2013–2023: what South Dakota School of Mines and Technology costs has stayed close to flat
Average net price moved +23.9% over 10 years, from $16,443 to $20,380 in nominal dollars. The median college measured over the same span moved +14.6%.
11 reported years. Nominal dollars, not adjusted for inflation.
2013 · $16,4432023 · $20,380
Over the same years, enrollment went -6.9% (2,194 → 2,042 students).
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, per-year fields (2013–2023). Net price is the average cost after grant and scholarship aid for federally-aided undergraduates.
Student Demographics
Race & ethnicity
Student body at a glance
22.5%
Female
18.3%
First Generation
Outcomes
84.1%
Retention Rate
$62,863
Median Earnings (6yr)
81.1%
Earning Over $25K
95.7%
Loan Repayment, Completers (3yr)
Outcomes & debt snapshot
| Measure | Cohort / horizon | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Completion within 150% of normal time | First-time, full-time | 55.6% |
| First-year retention | First-time, full-time freshmen | 84.1% |
| Median earnings | 6 years after entry | $62,863 |
| Median earnings | 10 years after entry | $72,257 |
| Share earning over $25,000 | Working, not enrolled | 81.1% |
| Loan repayment rate | Completers, 3 years after leaving | 95.7% |
| Median federal student debt | At completion | $27,000 |
| Estimated monthly payment | Standard 10-year plan | $286/mo |
Programs & Earnings
Field-of-study summary by credential
| Credential | Programs | Award count | Avg earnings | Top earnings | Avg debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 11 | 320 | $83,579 | $95,639 | $26,023 |
| Master's | 2 | 35 | $104,971 | $126,787 | - |
Top programs at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology by completer earnings
Median earnings of program completers, College Scorecard field-of-study file
- Engineering-Related Fields
Engineering-Related Fields
$126,787 median earnings
- Computer and Information S…
Computer and Information Sciences, General
$95,639 median earnings
- Electrical, Electronics, a…
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
$94,201 median earnings
- Industrial Engineering
Industrial Engineering
$92,815 median earnings
- Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
$90,845 median earnings
- Mining and Mineral Enginee…
Mining and Mineral Engineering
$88,904 median earnings
- Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
$85,350 median earnings
- Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering
$83,155 median earnings
What this shows The highest-earning programs at a school are not necessarily its most popular ones - a small specialized program can post strong median earnings without reflecting the outcome most students here actually see.
| Program | Credential | Completers | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering-Related Fields | Master's | 11 | $126,787 | - |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | Bachelor's | 28 | $95,639 | $27,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | Bachelor's | 33 | $94,201 | $22,020 |
| Industrial Engineering | Bachelor's | 27 | $92,815 | $25,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | Bachelor's | 26 | $90,845 | $27,000 |
| Mining and Mineral Engineering | Bachelor's | 17 | $88,904 | $27,164 |
| Mechanical Engineering | Bachelor's | 95 | $85,350 | $25,500 |
| Civil Engineering | Master's | 24 | $83,155 | - |
| Civil Engineering | Bachelor's | 48 | $80,613 | $27,000 |
| Geological/Geophysical Engineering | Bachelor's | 6 | $75,779 | - |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | Bachelor's | 13 | $48,069 | - |
| Computer Engineering | Bachelor's | 17 | - | - |
| Metallurgical Engineering | Bachelor's | 10 | - | $27,500 |
Explore Data-Matched Colleges
Matches use Scorecard measures among reporting colleges — not state-system recommendations or geographic proximity.
Similar Enrollment and Sector
Other Public institutions closest in reported enrollment, preferring the same Carnegie classification.
Similar Reported Net Price
Other Public institutions with the nearest reported average net price.
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
$20,109 net price · $74 apart
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO
$20,268 net price · $85 apart
Southern University and A & M College
Baton Rouge, LA
$20,077 net price · $106 apart
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
$20,012 net price · $171 apart
Similar 2013–2023 Net-Price Trend
Same-sector institutions with the same direction and nearest fitted annual change; only series with R² of at least 0.40 qualify.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg
Middletown, PA
+$345/year · $1/year apart
Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, NC
+$347/year · $1/year apart
Luzerne County Community College
Nanticoke, PA
+$347/year · $1/year apart
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks
Reading, PA
+$344/year · $2/year apart
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology? ▼
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public institution in Rapid City, South Dakota. The acceptance rate is 79.9%. The average SAT score is 1,245. Undergraduate enrollment is 2,071 students.
How much do South Dakota School of Mines and Technology former students earn? ▼
Federally aided former students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology who were working and not enrolled had median earnings of $72,257 ten years after entry; the cohort is not limited to graduates. Six years after entry, the corresponding median is $62,863.
How much does South Dakota School of Mines and Technology cost? ▼
The average net price at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is $20,183. In-state tuition is $10,500 and out-of-state tuition is $14,900. Median student debt at graduation is $27,000.
What is the graduation rate at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology? ▼
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has a 55.6% completion rate within 150% of normal time at a four-year institution (typically six years for a bachelor’s program). The first-year retention rate is 84.1%.
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology worth the student debt? ▼
The median student debt at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is $27,000, while former students earn a median of $72,257 ten years after enrollment. That debt represents about 37% of those annual earnings. Among borrowers who completed their program, 95.7% are repaying their loans within 3 years. Estimated monthly loan payment is $286.
Sources & methodology
Public-college profiles lean on IPEDS enrollment and Scorecard Title-IV outcomes. State appropriations are outside this page; the figures below are the federal cohort measures only.
Every number is read live from the Mar–Jul 2026 Scorecard/IPEDS retrievals. Public institutions often enroll large Title-IV cohorts, so medians can be stable — still cohort averages, never a personal forecast. Read the full methodology for how the data is sourced, computed, and verified.
- College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education - former-student earnings, cost & completion (collegescorecard.ed.gov).
- IPEDS, National Center for Education Statistics - enrollment, admissions, Carnegie class & demographics (nces.ed.gov/ipeds).
- U.S. Treasury / IRS earnings linkage - median earnings 6 & 10 years after enrollment for federal-aid recipients (irs.gov).
- College Scorecard, Field of Study - program-level (credential) earnings & debt (collegescorecard.ed.gov).
- Federal Student Aid (Title IV / NSLDS) - U.S. Department of Education - net price, student debt & aid-recipient repayment outcomes (studentaid.gov).
Where to go next from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
- Compare South Dakota School of Mines and Technology against schools with similar outcomes at a lower average net price.Find similar schools that cost less
- Browse every reporting college in South Dakota side by side.Browse South Dakota
- See how fields of study differ on former-student earnings and debt.Explore programs
Public-college Scorecard figures are historical Title-IV cohort averages — confirm current tuition, aid, and admissions rules with the institution before deciding.
Every figure on PlainCollege is rendered directly from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard data, no number is typed in by an editor. Public-institution profiles compile Scorecard Title-IV earnings, IPEDS enrollment/admissions, and Treasury linkage fields — no editor-typed figures. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error on this page. Review the public data changelog. Data current as of Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals.