UNCSA vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem, NC 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.

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (2,576 students vs. 1,111 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is located in Winston Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is in Rapid City, SD (Small City setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts 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 North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 12:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA 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 North Carolina School of the Arts than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ($13,140 vs. $20,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are 31.2% lower than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts ($9,300 vs. $13,517).
• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is 10.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $1,023 more per year; $10,500.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.6% higher at UNCSA than at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about $12,311 more per year; $27,211.00 vs. $14,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (84% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students is 141.4% larger than aid received by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students ($12,876 vs. $5,334).

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

Which college is harder to get into, UNCSA 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 UNCSA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1260) is 20 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 UNCSA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 1140/1370; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCSA students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (3.57).
• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 38.1% at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

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

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA 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 North Carolina School of the Arts's six-year graduation rate (58%) 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 $20,900 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina School of the Arts graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, UNCSA graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates ($279 vs. $284).
• More South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 56%)

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.