Michigan Tech vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Comparable Facts

Compare Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI 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.

Michigan Technological University is larger than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology based on total student enrollment (7,403 students vs. 2,576 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan Technological University is located in Houghton, MI (Remote Town setting); South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is in Rapid City, SD (Small City setting).
• Michigan Technological 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: Michigan Technological University 13:1; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 12:1.

Michigan Tech vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan Tech 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 Michigan Technological University than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ($16,879 vs. $20,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are 28.7% lower than at Michigan Technological University ($9,300 vs. $13,050).
• Michigan Technological University is 82.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $8,623 more per year; $19,123.00 vs. $10,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 188.5% higher at Michigan Tech than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $28,088 more per year; $42,988.00 vs. $14,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Michigan Technological University than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (99% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Michigan Technological University students is 273% larger than aid received by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students ($19,898 vs. $5,334).

Michigan Tech vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan Tech 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 Michigan Tech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan Technological University (1240) is the same as at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (1240).
• Incoming Michigan Tech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan Technological University 1130/1350; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan Technological University 25/31; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan Tech - 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 Michigan Tech students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (3.57).
• Michigan Tech has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Michigan Tech vs. 38.1% at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

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

How do outcomes compare for Michigan Tech 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).

• Michigan Technological University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's (48%).
• Graduates from Michigan Technological University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,000 vs. $60,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan Technological University graduates have a $600 lower median loan debt than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($26,900 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Michigan Tech graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($278 vs. $284).
• More South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan Tech students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.