Augustana vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Comparable Facts

Compare Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is larger than Augustana based on total student enrollment (2,576 students vs. 2,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Augustana College is located in Rock Island, IL (Small City setting); South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is in Rapid City, SD (Small City setting).
• Augustana College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Augustana College 12:1; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 12:1.

Augustana vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Augustana or South Dakota School of Mines and Technology? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology than Augustana ($20,267 vs. $24,714).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are 25.6% lower than at Augustana College ($9,300 vs. $12,502).
• Augustana College is 391.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $41,098 more per year; $51,598.00 vs. $10,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 246.3% higher at Augustana than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $36,698 more per year; $51,598.00 vs. $14,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Augustana College than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Augustana College students is 635.7% larger than aid received by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students ($39,242 vs. $5,334).

Augustana vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Augustana or South Dakota School of Mines and Technology? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and Augustana.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (1240) is 90 points higher than at Augustana (1150).
• Incoming South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Augustana).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Augustana College 1030/1270; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Augustana College 21/29; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Augustana - Test optional; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Augustana Aug 1, 2027; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Augustana (3.3).
• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than Augustana (62.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Augustana vs. 38.1% at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Augustana vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Augustana and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Augustana College's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's (48%).
• Graduates from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than Augustana graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $55,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Augustana College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Augustana graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($279 vs. $284).
• More Augustana graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 79%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.