South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Admission Requirements

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is 80.5%.  Its admission rate is the 6th lowest in South Dakota.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and can you get accepted?

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 1,163 out of the 1,445 who applied were admitted.

The school has difficult admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 27 percent on standardized admission tests. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.57. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 42% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?

80% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology you should:

• Have a high school GPA of 3.57 or better
• Earn B+ grades in high school
• Score 1260 on the SAT
• Score 26 on the ACT
• Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

What GPA do you need to get into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are to have around a 3.57 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.57 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as South Dakota School of Mines and Technology accepts 80% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is 3.57 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #3 in South Dakota for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 26% of students submitted SAT scores and 84% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is 1260 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1155-1355. Students who get into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers..  South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ranks #1 in the state of South Dakota and #214 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1260 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1155 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1155, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1050, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "considered but not required".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1260 SAT score range.

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1255, you have around a 80% chance of being admitted. A 1355 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 88% chance of getting in.

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is 26, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 24 and 29.  The school ranks #1 in South Dakota for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 26. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 24 and score in the score in the top 27 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 22.

Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 84 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "considered but not required".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 26 score has around 80% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 90% with a 29 ACT score.

High School Class Rank

56% of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 24% are in the top ten percent.

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is $20.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Credits Accepted

Admission Requirements Summary

Because South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.57 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1260 and ACT of 26 will almost guarantee your admission.