Dakota State vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Comparable Facts

Compare Dakota State University in Madison, SD 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.

Dakota State University is larger than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology based on total student enrollment (3,774 students vs. 2,576 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dakota State University is located in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting); South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is in Rapid City, SD (Small City setting).
• Dakota State University 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: Dakota State University 18:1; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 12:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Dakota State 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 Dakota State ($20,267 vs. $20,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are 4.5% lower than at Dakota State University ($9,300 vs. $9,742).
• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is 8.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $846 more per year; $10,500.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.8% higher at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology than at Dakota State University (about $2,144 more per year; $14,900.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dakota State University than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (88% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dakota State University students is 0.7% larger than aid received by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students ($5,371 vs. $5,334).

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

Which college is harder to get into, Dakota State 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 Dakota State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dakota State University (1320) is 80 points higher than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (1240).
• Incoming South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Dakota State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dakota State University 1190/1440; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dakota State University 20/27; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dakota State - 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 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• Dakota State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at Dakota State vs. 38.1% at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

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

How do outcomes compare for Dakota State 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).

• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology earn a median of about $17,800 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota State University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Dakota State graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($242 vs. $284).
• More South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 67%)

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.