MSU Billings vs South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Montana State University Billings and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, two distinct institutions with unique offerings, stand ready to shape your academic journey. MSU Billings, nestled in the vibrant city of Billings, Montana, boasts an acceptance rate of 99%, welcoming a diverse student body. Its strength lies in programs like Business, Education, and Nursing. In contrast, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, located in the heart of Rapid City, South Dakota, embraces a more selective approach with an acceptance rate of 86%. It excels in fields such as Engineering, Computer Science, and Geology. Both universities offer a supportive learning environment, but their contrasting acceptance rates and academic foci may influence your decision. Explore the comprehensive comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your aspirations and goals.
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![]() Montana State University Billings |
![]() South Dakota School of Mines and Technology |
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Overview |
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Location | Billings, Montana | Rapid City, South Dakota |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 57.0% | 70.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | Open Admission | 80.5% |
Application fees | $40 |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
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SAT range | N/A | 1155 - 1355 |
ACT range | N/A | 24 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 26.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 84.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 1,445 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,163 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 489 | |
Yield rate | 42.0% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | |
High school GPA | N/A | Not required |
Recommendation letters | N/A | Not required |
High school transcript | N/A | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | N/A | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$20,258
Out of state:
$33,588
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In state:
$29,330
Out of state:
$33,750
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Average net price | $12,626 | $19,257 |
Tuition |
In state:
$4,485
Out of state:
$17,678
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In state:
$7,820
Out of state:
$12,240
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,096
Meal plan:
$3,860
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Room/dormitory:
$4,060
Meal plan:
$4,080
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
85.0%
Average amount $5,151 |
83.0%
Average amount $5,895 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
42.0%
Average amount $4,398 |
52.0%
Average amount $4,907 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $10,623 |
13.0%
Average amount $12,435 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,728
Men 35.8% Women 64.2% |
2,083
Men 76.4% Women 23.6% |
Graduate students |
386
Men 23.6% Women 76.4% |
333
Men 76.3% Women 23.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 11.6% | 63.0% |
International students | 1.6% | 5.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 480 | 1,082 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Montana Washington California Wyoming Idaho | South Dakota Colorado Minnesota Nebraska Wyoming |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 28.1% | 52.3% |
Dropout rate | 41.6% | 35.2% |
Transferred out | 25.2% | 7.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Geological/Geophysical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
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