Colorado School of Mines vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO 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.

Colorado School of Mines is larger than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology based on total student enrollment (8,044 students vs. 2,576 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado School of Mines is located in Golden, CO (Large Suburban setting); South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is in Rapid City, SD (Small City setting).
• Colorado School of Mines is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado School of Mines 18:1; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 12:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Colorado School of Mines 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 Colorado School of Mines ($20,267 vs. $29,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are 47% lower than at Colorado School of Mines ($9,300 vs. $17,531).
• Colorado School of Mines is 108.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $11,414 more per year; $21,914.00 vs. $10,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 207.5% higher at Colorado School of Mines than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $30,924 more per year; $45,824.00 vs. $14,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado School of Mines than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (96% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado School of Mines students is 129.6% larger than aid received by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students ($12,246 vs. $5,334).

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

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado School of Mines 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 Colorado School of Mines.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado School of Mines (1400) is 160 points higher than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (1240).
• Incoming Colorado School of Mines students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado School of Mines 1320/1480; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado School of Mines 29/33; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado School of Mines - Test optional; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado School of Mines Jan 15, 2027; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado School of Mines students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (3.57).
• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than Colorado School of Mines (60.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado School of Mines vs. 38.1% at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

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

How do outcomes compare for Colorado School of Mines 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).

• Colorado School of Mines's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's (48%).
• Graduates from Colorado School of Mines earn a median of about $30,500 more per year than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $60,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado School of Mines graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Colorado School of Mines graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($268 vs. $284).
• More Colorado School of Mines graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.