Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Rapid City, South Dakota |
| Online | sdsmt.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Small City |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT) is located in Rapid City, South Dakota, positioned near the Black Hills mountain range and approximately 30 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The public engineering and science university, established in 1885 to support the region's mining industry, operates on a 120-acre campus featuring a mix of historic limestone buildings and modern research facilities. SDSMT maintains a focused academic profile with specialized programs in engineering, science, and technology, with particular strengths in geological engineering, metallurgical engineering, and mining engineering. The institution provides on-campus housing through several residence halls and maintains Division II athletic programs, competing as the Hardrockers in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is rated within the top 41% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#422 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#122 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#2 in Best Colleges in South Dakota
#1 in Best Public Colleges in South Dakota
#562 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#2 in Best Value Colleges in South Dakota
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1130/1320 |
| ACT | 23/29 |
| GPA | 3.57 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Feb 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $20 |
Annual Cost to Attend
South Dakota Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,900 |
| Other Fees | $2,600 |
| Room and Board | $8,800 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $5,000 |
| Total One Year Cost | $26,100 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,900 |
| Other Fees | $2,600 |
| Room and Board | $8,800 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $5,000 |
| Total One Year Cost | $30,500 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Engineering | 76% |
| Physical Sciences | 9% |
| General Studies | 6% |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 5% |
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 3% |
Other Colleges to Consider
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Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=219347 IPEDS survey data for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
Current students may use the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025