South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology at a Glance
The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is a public university in Rapid City, South Dakota, United States. It is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents and was founded in 1885. South Dakota Mines offers bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
1885
141 years old
$65M
$65.1 million (2019)
2,576
2,216 undergrad · 360 grad
159
120 acres
Identity
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Worth It?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology offers moderate value at $20,183/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $72,257, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 56% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How South Dakota School of Mines and Technology compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #8 of 17 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Virginia Military Institute | 89 | $17,113 | $77,369 |
| #2 | Truman State University | 75 | $12,780 | $56,280 |
| #3 | Charter Oak State College | 68 | $15,815 | $64,209 |
| #4 | SUNY Polytechnic Institute | 65 | $14,164 | $64,355 |
| #5 | Bismarck State College | 63 | $10,270 | $54,277 |
| #6 | University of Arkansas Grantham | 60 | $8,370 | $63,496 |
| #8 | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | 50 | $20,183 | $72,257 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
The highest-earning program at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is Mechanical Engineering at $65,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Civil Engineering at $58,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Mechanical Engineering graduate from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology earns $65,900, while a Civil Engineering graduate earns $58,700. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Mechanical Engineering graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,200 for Civil Engineering.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,183/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $65,900 | $65,900 | $27,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $58,700 | $58,700 | $27,200 |
Similar Colleges in SD
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Rapid City, SD
- Student Body
- 2,071 students
- Admission Rate
- 80%
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,183
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $72,257
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000