South Dakota School of Mines and Technology vs South Dakota State University (SDSU)

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT) and South Dakota State University (SDSU) are two distinct public universities in South Dakota, each offering unique educational experiences. SDSMT, located in Rapid City, is a science and engineering-focused institution with a strong emphasis on research and innovation. SDSU, situated in Brookings, is a comprehensive university with a diverse range of academic programs, including agriculture, business, education, and nursing. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in terms of acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	South Dakota School of Mines and Technology	South Dakota State University
Overview
Location	Rapid City, South Dakota	Brookings, South Dakota
Campus setting	City: Small	Town: Remote
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	70.0%	80.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	80.5%	87.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $20 Graduate: $35	Undergraduate: $20 Graduate: $35
SAT range	1155 - 1355	980 - 1220
ACT range	24 - 29	19 - 25
Students submitting SAT score	26.0%	3.0%
Students submitting ACT score	84.0%	86.0%
Total number of applicants	1,445	5,774
Total number of admissions given out	1,163	5,048
Admitted students who chose to enroll	489	2,019
Yield rate	42.0%	40.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $29,330 Out of state: $33,750	In state: $24,304 Out of state: $27,814
Average net price	$19,257	$17,859
Tuition	In state: $7,820 Out of state: $12,240	In state: $7,773 Out of state: $11,283
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $4,060 Meal plan: $4,080	Room/dormitory: $4,054 Meal plan: $4,082
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	83.0% Average amount $5,895	81.0% Average amount $4,747
Students receiving federal student loan	52.0% Average amount $4,907	60.0% Average amount $5,063
Students taking out private loans	13.0% Average amount $12,435	17.0% Average amount $9,956

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	2,083 Men 76.4% Women 23.6%	9,847 Men 45.2% Women 54.8%
Graduate students	333 Men 76.3% Women 23.7%	1,618 Men 37.3% Women 62.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	63.0%	N/A
International students	5.3%	5.1%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Town: Remote
Dormitory capacity	1,082	4,488
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	South Dakota Colorado Minnesota Nebraska Wyoming	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Computer and Information Science Physical Science Engineering Technologies Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Health Professions Engineering Family and Consumer Sciences Education Agriculture
Students to faculty ratio	11:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	52.3%	59.5%
Dropout rate	35.2%	38.9%
Transferred out	7.2%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $61,020 Year 3: $75,822 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,634 Year 2: $67,789 Year 3: $71,638 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,408 Year 2: $60,523 Year 3: $64,746 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,674 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: N/A Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,157 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $74,953 Year 3: N/A Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,319 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: N/A Geological/Geophysical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,327 Year 2: $50,856 Year 3: N/A Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,985 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $110,688 Year 2: $117,014 Year 3: $126,250 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $92,277 Year 3: $114,802 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $53,967 Year 2: $74,845 Year 3: $81,032 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,229 Year 2: $61,322 Year 3: $70,114 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,268 Year 2: $59,124 Year 3: $62,932 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,985 Year 2: $56,234 Year 3: $61,104 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,372 Year 2: $57,860 Year 3: $60,463 Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,551 Year 2: $56,776 Year 3: $59,988 Plant Sciences (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,213 Year 2: $55,151 Year 3: $55,715 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $43,798 Year 3: $54,439

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary academic focuses of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SD Mines) and South Dakota State University (SDSU)?

SD Mines is primarily focused on engineering, science, and technology disciplines. SDSU offers a broader range of programs, including agriculture, pharmacy, nursing, education, arts, and sciences, in addition to engineering and technology.
How do the campus environments differ between SD Mines and SDSU?

SD Mines has a smaller, more specialized campus environment, fostering a close-knit community centered around STEM fields. SDSU has a larger, more traditional university campus with a wider variety of student activities, a more diverse student body, and a stronger emphasis on athletics and Greek life.
What are the typical class sizes at SD Mines and SDSU?

SD Mines generally has smaller class sizes, especially in upper-level courses, allowing for more personalized attention from professors. SDSU, being a larger university, may have larger class sizes, particularly in introductory courses, but also offers smaller class sizes in specialized programs.
Which university is better for engineering programs?

Both universities have strong engineering programs. SD Mines is highly regarded for its specialized engineering focus and hands-on learning experiences. SDSU's engineering programs are also well-respected and offer a broader range of specializations, including agricultural and civil engineering.
How does the cost of attendance compare between SD Mines and SDSU?

The cost of attendance, including tuition and fees, is generally comparable between SD Mines and SDSU. However, specific costs can vary depending on the program of study, residency status, and financial aid received. It's recommended to check the official university websites for the most up-to-date information.
What are the research opportunities like at SD Mines and SDSU?

Both universities offer research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. SD Mines emphasizes research related to its STEM focus, with opportunities in areas like materials science, nanotechnology, and mining. SDSU provides research opportunities across a wider range of disciplines, including agriculture, health sciences, and engineering.
Which university has a stronger athletics program?

SDSU has a more prominent and well-established athletics program, competing at the NCAA Division I level. SD Mines has a smaller athletics program, competing at the NCAA Division II level.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of SD Mines and SDSU?

Graduates from both universities have excellent career prospects. SD Mines graduates are highly sought after in engineering, technology, and science fields. SDSU graduates find employment in a wider range of industries, including agriculture, healthcare, education, and engineering, depending on their chosen program.
How does the student life experience differ between the two universities?

SD Mines offers a more focused student life experience centered around STEM activities, clubs, and organizations. SDSU provides a more traditional college experience with a wider variety of student organizations, social events, Greek life, and a strong emphasis on campus traditions and athletics.
Which university is better suited for me?

If you are passionate about engineering, science, or technology and prefer a smaller, more specialized campus environment, SD Mines might be a better fit. If you are interested in a broader range of programs, a larger campus with more diverse activities, and a strong athletics program, SDSU might be a better choice. Consider your academic interests, career goals, and desired campus environment when making your decision.

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