Cornell College vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA 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 Cornell College based on total student enrollment (2,576 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is in Rapid City, SD (Small City setting).
• Cornell 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: Cornell College 14:1; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 12:1.

Cornell College vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College 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 Cornell College ($20,267 vs. $25,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are 21.5% lower than at Cornell College ($9,300 vs. $11,850).
• Cornell College is 401.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $42,160 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $10,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 253.4% higher at Cornell College than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $37,760 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $14,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 670.4% larger than aid received by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students ($41,092 vs. $5,334).

Cornell College vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell College 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 Cornell College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (1240) is 40 points higher than at Cornell College (1200).
• Incoming South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Cornell College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 38.1% at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

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

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College 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).

• Cornell College's six-year graduation rate (70%) 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 $14,600 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell 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, Cornell College 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 South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 74%)

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.