South Dakota School of Mines and Technology vs Colorado School of Mines
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT) and Colorado School of Mines (CSM) stand out as premier institutions for students seeking a rigorous education in engineering, science, and technology. While sharing common strengths, these universities also possess distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences and aspirations. SDSMT boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. CSM, on the other hand, attracts a more diverse student body, offering a vibrant and inclusive campus community. Both institutions excel in preparing graduates for successful careers, with impressive graduation rates and strong industry connections. To help you make an informed decision, we present a comprehensive comparison of these two esteemed schools, delving into key aspects such as acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation outcomes. Explore the table below to discover which institution aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.
|
![]() Colorado School of Mines |
![]() South Dakota School of Mines and Technology |
---|---|---|
Overview |
||
Location | Golden, Colorado | Rapid City, South Dakota |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | 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 | 91.0% | 70.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
|
||
Admission |
||
Acceptance rate | 56.9% | 80.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$60
|
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
|
SAT range | 1310 - 1470 | 1155 - 1355 |
ACT range | 29 - 33 | 24 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 53.0% | 26.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 31.0% | 84.0% |
Total number of applicants | 12,022 | 1,445 |
Total number of admissions given out | 6,838 | 1,163 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,449 | 489 |
Yield rate | 21.2% | 42.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
|
||
Tuition and Fees |
||
Sticker price |
In state:
$34,245
Out of state:
$55,545
|
In state:
$29,330
Out of state:
$33,750
|
Average net price | $26,179 | $19,257 |
Tuition |
In state:
$17,160
Out of state:
$38,460
|
In state:
$7,820
Out of state:
$12,240
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,196
Meal plan:
$6,520
|
Room/dormitory:
$4,060
Meal plan:
$4,080
|
Available payment plans |
|
|
|
||
Financial Aid |
||
Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
98.0%
Average amount $10,778 |
83.0%
Average amount $5,895 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
43.0%
Average amount $5,292 |
52.0%
Average amount $4,907 |
Students taking out private loans |
9.0%
Average amount $24,651 |
13.0%
Average amount $12,435 |
|
||
Students and Campus |
||
Undergraduate students |
5,487
Men 68.4% Women 31.6% |
2,083
Men 76.4% Women 23.6% |
Graduate students |
1,700
Men 69.1% Women 30.9% |
333
Men 76.3% Women 23.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | 43.6% | 63.0% |
International students | 8.8% | 5.3% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 2,445 | 1,082 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Colorado Texas California Washington Illinois | South Dakota Colorado Minnesota Nebraska Wyoming |
|
||
Academics |
||
Popular study areas |
|
|
Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
|
||
Outcome |
||
Graduation rate | 83.2% | 52.3% |
Dropout rate | 10.5% | 35.2% |
Transferred out | 4.8% | 7.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Geological/Geophysical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (Master's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering Physics (Bachelor's Degrees)
|
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)
|
Compare Similar Colleges
The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing
statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you
don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page.
There, you can search for the
specific colleges and initiate your comparison.






























































































































































