NDSU vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Comparable Facts

Compare North Dakota State University Main Campus in Fargo, ND 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.

North Dakota State University Main Campus is larger than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology based on total student enrollment (11,952 students vs. 2,576 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Dakota State University Main Campus is located in Fargo, ND (Midsize City setting); South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is in Rapid City, SD (Small City setting).
• North Dakota State University Main Campus 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: North Dakota State University Main Campus 19:1; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 12:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, NDSU 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 North Dakota State University Main Campus than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ($15,596 vs. $20,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are 6.3% lower than at North Dakota State University Main Campus ($9,300 vs. $9,928).
• North Dakota State University Main Campus is 5.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $610 more per year; $11,110.00 vs. $10,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at NDSU than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $864 more per year; $15,764.00 vs. $14,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology than at North Dakota State University Main Campus (84% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Dakota State University Main Campus students is 20.2% larger than aid received by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students ($6,409 vs. $5,334).

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

Which college is harder to get into, NDSU 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 NDSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (1240) is 150 points higher than at NDSU (1090).
• Incoming South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at NDSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Dakota State University Main Campus 968/1216; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Dakota State University Main Campus 19/25; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NDSU - Test optional; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NDSU 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 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at NDSU (3.53).
• NDSU has a higher acceptance rate (95%) than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32% at NDSU vs. 38.1% at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

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

How do outcomes compare for NDSU 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).

• North Dakota State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (54%) 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 $6,400 more per year than NDSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $53,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates have a $4,200 lower median loan debt than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($23,300 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, NDSU graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($240 vs. $284).
• More NDSU 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.