SUNY Poly vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, NY 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.

SUNY Polytechnic Institute is larger than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology based on total student enrollment (2,733 students vs. 2,576 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY Polytechnic Institute is located in Utica, NY (Rural Fringe setting); South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is in Rapid City, SD (Small City setting).
• SUNY Polytechnic Institute 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: SUNY Polytechnic Institute 13:1; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 12:1.

SUNY Poly vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Poly 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 SUNY Polytechnic Institute than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ($14,782 vs. $20,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are 43.9% lower than at SUNY Polytechnic Institute ($9,300 vs. $16,584).
• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is 21.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Poly (about $1,875 more per year; $10,500.00 vs. $8,625.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.4% higher at SUNY Poly than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $6,315 more per year; $21,215.00 vs. $14,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Polytechnic Institute than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY Polytechnic Institute students is 56.7% larger than aid received by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students ($8,357 vs. $5,334).

SUNY Poly vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY Poly 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 SUNY Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (1240) is 40 points higher than at SUNY Poly (1200).
• Incoming South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at SUNY Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY Polytechnic Institute 1025/1370; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY Polytechnic Institute 22/30; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Poly - Test optional; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY Poly Aug 1, 2027; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Poly students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (3.57).
• SUNY Poly has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.7% at SUNY Poly vs. 38.1% at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

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

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Poly 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 SUNY Polytechnic Institute's (47%).
• Graduates from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than SUNY Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $53,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates have a $10,915 lower median loan debt than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($16,585 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Poly graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($171 vs. $284).
• More South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Poly students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 63%)

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.