University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Minnesota Duluth in Duluth, MN 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.

University of Minnesota Duluth is larger than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology based on total student enrollment (9,253 students vs. 2,576 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Minnesota Duluth is located in Duluth, MN (Small City setting); South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is in Rapid City, SD (Small City setting).
• University of Minnesota Duluth 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: University of Minnesota Duluth 16:1; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 12:1.

University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Minnesota-Duluth 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 University of Minnesota Duluth than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ($20,128 vs. $20,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are 16.3% lower than at University of Minnesota Duluth ($9,300 vs. $11,110).
• University of Minnesota Duluth is 39.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $4,110 more per year; $14,610.00 vs. $10,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.1% higher at University of Minnesota-Duluth than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $5,230 more per year; $20,130.00 vs. $14,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Duluth than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (95% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Minnesota Duluth students is 34.7% larger than aid received by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students ($7,186 vs. $5,334).

University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Minnesota-Duluth 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Minnesota Duluth (1270) is 30 points higher than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (1240).
• Incoming South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at University of Minnesota-Duluth).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Duluth 1180/1350; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Duluth 23/28; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Minnesota-Duluth - Test optional; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Minnesota-Duluth 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 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at University of Minnesota-Duluth (3.51).
• University of Minnesota-Duluth has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. 38.1% at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Minnesota-Duluth 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).

• University of Minnesota Duluth's six-year graduation rate (55%) 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 $6,500 more per year than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Duluth graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($258 vs. $284).
• More South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Minnesota-Duluth students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 76%)

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.