South Dakota School of Mines and Technology vs Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT) and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (SAU) are two distinct institutions offering unique educational experiences. SDSMT, located in Rapid City, South Dakota, is a public research university with a strong focus on science, engineering, and technology. SAU, situated in Magnolia, Arkansas, is a public liberal arts university with a diverse range of academic programs. While both universities offer quality education, they differ in several aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() South Dakota School of Mines and Technology |
![]() Southern Arkansas University Main Campus |
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Overview |
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Location | Rapid City, South Dakota | Magnolia, Arkansas |
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% | 64.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 80.5% | 62.6% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
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$25 |
SAT range | 1155 - 1355 | 930 - 1140 |
ACT range | 24 - 29 | 18 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 26.0% | 10.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 84.0% | 100.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,445 | 2,813 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,163 | 1,761 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 489 | 632 |
Yield rate | 42.0% | 35.9% |
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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$29,330
Out of state:
$33,750
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In state:
$26,411
Out of state:
$31,631
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Average net price | $19,257 | $14,141 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,820
Out of state:
$12,240
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In state:
$6,750
Out of state:
$11,970
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,060
Meal plan:
$4,080
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Room/dormitory:
$4,340
Meal plan:
$3,444
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
83.0%
Average amount $5,895 |
98.0%
Average amount $8,861 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
52.0%
Average amount $4,907 |
50.0%
Average amount $5,247 |
Students taking out private loans |
13.0%
Average amount $12,435 |
3.0%
Average amount $8,817 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,083
Men 76.4% Women 23.6% |
3,160
Men 43.4% Women 56.6% |
Graduate students |
333
Men 76.3% Women 23.7% |
1,274
Men 35.2% Women 64.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 63.0% | 28.0% |
International students | 5.3% | 7.5% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 1,082 | 2,032 |
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 | Arkansas Texas Louisiana Oklahoma Alabama |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 52.3% | 40.1% |
Dropout rate | 35.2% | 23.3% |
Transferred out | 7.2% | 35.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Physics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
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