About South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
South Dakota Mines is a STEM university, with curriculum that allows you to jump into your major from day one. At South Dakota Mines we expect you to break things, build things, explore your passions and invent tomorrow.
Consistently touted as an education "best buy," South Dakota Mines offers over 20 science and engineering majors and 29 minors.
South Dakota Mines graduates continue to enjoy a very high placement rate in their field of study and an excellent starting salary. The most recent data, from the graduating class of 2022, shows a 98% job placement rate in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields with an average annual starting compensation of $70,036. Mines is continually listed among the top schools in the country for return on investment by several college ranking organizations.
History
Founded in 1885 to provide instruction in the region’s primary industry, mining, today the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology has evolved into one of the leading science and engineering universities in the region.
Why Mines
Located in Rapid City, in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, South Dakota Mines offers a rigorous academic experience, supported by small class sizes, committed faculty members, and many student development programs and organizations. We’re known for STEM Academics, Personal Attention, Outstanding Internship Opportunities, Great Value, Our wonderful location: the Rushmore Region
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
School Overview
- Location
- Rapid City, South Dakota
- Type
- Public
- Setting
- City
Students
Total Students
2,490
Faculty
Total Faculty
267
Student/Faculty Ratio
Tuition
Estimated Cost
$16,500
Admissions
Total Applicants
1,030
Admitted
88%
Enrolled
41%
Test Scores
SAT Math
590-590
SAT Reading
Not Reported
SAT Writing
Not Reported
ACT Composite
25-25
TOEFL
Required
IELTS
Required
Duolingo Score
Required
Ivanhoe International Center
Welcome International Students!
The South Dakota Mines has a strong, inter-connected international community of students, faculty, resources and support. We all work together to help international students thrive and succeed here.
International students have historically constituted approximately 5 percent to 10 percent of the total student population. The number of international students is approximately 125 from more than 35 countries, enrolled in both undergraduate and graduate studies. The faculty includes many people with international backgrounds as well.
Have questions? Contact us.
Students & Faculty
Faculty
Admissions
SAT Scores:
Math: 590–590,
Reading: –
(25th-75th percentile)
ACT Scores:
25–25
(25th-75th percentile)
Note: 25th-75th percentile ranges show the range of scores achieved by the middle 50% of students who were admitted to the school.
Other Requirements:
*All data is provided by the school or compiled from IPEDS as of December 2018
Degrees & Programs |
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| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General | ||||||
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Other | ||||||
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering | ||||||
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | ||||||
| Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering | ||||||
| Chemical Engineering | ||||||
| Chemistry | ||||||
| Chemistry, General | ||||||
| Civil Engineering, General | ||||||
| Civil Engineering, Other | ||||||
| Computer Engineering, General | ||||||
| Computer Science | ||||||
| Construction Management | ||||||
| Data Science | ||||||
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | ||||||
| Engineering-Related Fields, Other | ||||||
| Engineering/Industrial Management | ||||||
| Environmental Science | ||||||
| Geological/Geophysical Engineering | ||||||
| Geology | ||||||
| Geology/Earth Science, General | ||||||
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other | ||||||
| Industrial Engineering | ||||||
| Materials Engineering | ||||||
| Materials Science | ||||||
| Mathematics, General | ||||||
| Mechanical Engineering | ||||||
| Metallurgical Engineering | ||||||
| Meteorology | ||||||
| Mining and Mineral Engineering | ||||||
| Nanotechnology | ||||||
| Paleontology | ||||||
| Physics, General | ||||||
| Science Technologies/Technicians, Other | ||||||
| Science, Technology and Society | ||||||
About
Why Mines?
Named one of the best engineering schools in the country for return on investment, South Dakota Mines is the place you’ll find your people. You’ll master skills you didn’t think possible and study alongside passionate, brilliant classmates. You’ll learn from world-class science and engineering professors and have the opportunity to do research even as an undergrad.
STEM Education with Real-World Relevance
With more than 20 bachelor’s degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), South Dakota Mines will open a whole world to you. Learn about our many programs here and don’t forget about our accelerated master’s degree, which allows you to finish both an undergrad and master’s in just five years. You’ll have an opportunity to explore everything from robotics and counterfeit drug prevention, to dinosaurs and pre-professional healthcare.
Our programs emphasize hands-on learning in maker spaces and labs that feature the same equipment you’ll use on the job. Break things. Build things. Then get paid to do it professionally.
The future is STEM, with careers expected to grow 13% by 2027. Come find your future at South Dakota Mines.
Maximum Value for Your Money
South Dakota Mines students get hired—often before they’ve even finished school. Our recent graduates have an average starting salary of $70,036, so you can be sure that you’ll get an excellent return on your college investment.
When it comes to return on investment, South Dakota Mines is hard to beat. For the past three years, we’ve been named the #1 Engineering School for Return on Investment from among 323 similar institutions across the United States. It’s also among the top 100 schools in the country for early and mid-career salaries. As a Mines graduate, you will enjoy an average starting salary of $70,036 and a placement rate of 98%.
Here, You're Never a Number
A world-class education calls for faculty who are excellent instructors—and exceptional mentors too. At South Dakota Mines, you’ll benefit from small class sizes and ample face time with experienced professors who are every bit as invested in your success as you are. With their extensive knowledge, personalized guidance and valuable industry connections at your disposal, you’ll have all the support you’ll need to bring your goals to life.
Collaboration Over Competition
Students at South Dakota Mines are smart, but nobody’s perfect. We believe that with cooperation and support for one another, we can empower every member of our campus community to reach their full potential.
Life at South Dakota Mines is more than books, homework, and tests. It’s robot races on the Quad, blacksmithing on Friday afternoons, late-night hangouts with friends in the dorm, and cheering for your favorite Hardrocker sports team. It’s finding “your” people – friends who geek out at the same stuff you do, whether that’s esports, robotics, fossils, or chemistry experiments. You’ll work alongside “your” people in classrooms and on student teams and organizations. At South Dakota Mines, it’s more about collaboration than competition, and you’ll never be alone in your passions and interests.
A Location Unlike Any Other
There’s a reason the Black Hills attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. There’s tons to see and do! Our campus is nestled in the eastern slope of the Black Hills, just minutes away from the vibrant streets of Rapid City. Walk or bike downtown to grab a bite with friends, check out the local shops or put your puzzle-solving skills to the test at an escape room. Want to get away from it all for a while? Embark on an outdoor adventure in Badlands National Park or the Black Hills National Forest, where you can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, hunting, kayaking, trail riding and so much more.
