Placement Metric
Highest Package
N/A
Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
41.3(0)
VerifiedPublicEstd. 1885
Founded
1885
Type
Public
University Guide
About South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT) is ranked the number 1 engineering school for return on investment amongst 323 similar institutions in the United States for three consecutive years. The leading engineering, science, and technology University has an excellent placement of 96 % with graduates earning an average starting salary of 66,516 USD.
Bachelors at SDSMT comprises 20 degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math and 25 Graduate majors. The average ACT score for enrollment in SDSMT is 27. The University enrolls students from 44 states and 30 countries. Although there is no firm deadline for admission, international students wishing to apply for scholarships must apply at least three months before the semester so that they can be admitted by the deadline of January 15..
Admission to SDSMT requires a minimum GPA of 2.75 (68%), official transcripts, Standardized test scores, financial worthiness evidence and other supportive documents. Intakes open in fall, spring and summer semesters and 20 USD nonrefundable application fee needs to be paid with the application form. The institute offers conditional admission to students willing to opt for ESL at the college.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rankings
- #1 Engineering School For Return on Investment
- # 132 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs
- # 409 in Top Colleges by Forbes
- #138 amongst Public Colleges by Forbes
- #207 Americas Best Value Colleges by Forbes
Highlights
| Type of Institute | Public, co-ed |
| Establishment Year | 1885 |
| Location | Rapid City |
| Official website | https://www.sdsmt.edu/ |
| Student-Faculty ratio | 15:1 |
| Application Fees | 20 USD for undergraduates, 35 USD for graduates |
| Placement | 96% |
| Enrollment | 2475 |
| Faculty | 175 |
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Campus
Campus of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is located in Rapid city, near the Black hills. The campus is near the APEX Gallery and Museum of Geology. The APEX gallery exhibits the work of recognized artists and scientists. The students can explore these and also enjoy lectures from various artists. Located on the campus of South Dakota Mines, The Museum of Geology allows students with an interest in Paleontology and Mineralogy to view the various exhibits.
The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology also has the Devereaux Library.The study rooms located on the campus will ensure that students can study on the campus along with their classmates and friends.The campus also has a wellness center, Bookstore, and Surbeck Center. The students can dine at the Nearby Hardrockers cafe and Miners shack. SDSMT is also close to M Hill which is a notable landmark in Rapid City. Student housing in the US is available on campus.
Housing
The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology provides on-campus housing accommodations as well as several off-campus recommendations. The students can start applying for on-campus housing Accommodations from February 15. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
The Freshmen students have two on-campus accommodation options during their first year at SDSMT- Community Living and Peterson Interest Communities The University also has two apartments – Rocker Square I and Rocker Square II. These apartments are for students who have graduated from high school. The four residential halls on campus are:
- Connolly Hall- The oldest Residence hall on Campus, Connolly houses Freshmen and sophomore students. The hall is equipped with a community area with kitchens on each floor, a Laundry room, and common areas with games, Tv.
- Palmerton Hall- The Palmerton hall primarily houses freshmen students. The rooms allow double occupancy and have a bed. All the floors have common bathrooms, a living area, and Kitchen.
- Peterson Hall- Peterson Hall is connected to the Surbeck Student Centre. The Peter hall accommodation houses students who opt for Peterson Interest Community Program. This allows the students to explore Rapid City, Engage in Outdoor Activities, The Peterson Hall is also close to March Plaza which allows students to dine.
- Placer Hall- The Placer residential hall is an accommodation for second-year students.
All the residents on campus are required to purchase a meal plan each semester. This will give the students access to Hardrockers Café and Miners Shack. The meal plans range from 541 USD to -2040 USD per semester and students also have the option of changing their Meal Plans by August 28.
The on campus housing cost is as follows:
| Occupancy | Per semester cost in USD |
|---|---|
| Single Occupancy | 2324 |
| Double/Triple occupancy | 1945 |
| Quad | 2176 |
| Deluxe/Study Quad | 2335 |
| Placer Double Suite | 2510 |
| Placer Single Suite | 2885 |
| Rocker Square Apartment I | 3398 |
| Rocker Square Apartment II | 3276 |
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Programs
The University offers more than 20 Bachelor's degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math and 25 Graduate majors.The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology also offers three online engineering master's programs. These are- Construction Engineering and Management, Engineering Management, Mining Engineering, and Management.
The applications for Online programs are considered throughout the year. The accelerated programs allow BS and MS degrees to be completed in a period of 5 years. Preprofessional degrees are available in health services programs. The college also provides many internship opportunities in STEM academics.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology International Application Process
The international applicants can apply for one of the programs by creating an account on https://apply.sdsmt.edu/apply/. The students should fulfill the following requirements for admission:
Application Portal: Online
Application fee: 20 USD
Documents Required
- The international applicants should have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in high school as well as college.
- The applicants must submit a minimum English Language Proficiency Test score. The test accepted by the University are :
- TOEFL iBT- 68
- TOEFL PBT- 520
- IELTS- 5.5
- PTE Academic- 47
- The students are also required to submit SAT/ACT scores. A minimum score of 520 is required in Math on the SAT or 20 in the ACT.
- All applicants should submit official transcripts from high school and post-secondary institutions.
- Statement of Purpose explaining reasons for opting for the course and college
- Once students are admitted, they will be required to submit Financial documents showing evidence of ability to cover expenses.
- After all the requirements are complied with, the University will provide the I-20 form
The students should apply before January 15 to be considered for merit scholarships. These scholarships will be considered on the SAT/ACT scores provided by the students.
The deadline for admission to the graduate program offered by the University are
| Semester | Admission Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | February 15 |
| Spring | August 15 |
| Summer | January 15 |
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Cost of Attendance
The cost of attending SDSMT for the international students is given here for consideration to calculate the budget to study in the US.
| Expense( for academic year 9 months ) | Undergraduate students in USD | Graduate students in USD |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | 17,160 | 14,970 |
| Living Expense | 9730 | 9940 |
| Books and Supplies | 1200 | 1200 |
| Personal and Transportation Expense | 3000 | 3000 |
All international students must also pay an international student fee of 150 USD per semester. The Cost of attendance will vary depending on the cost of accommodation and other expenses that students might incur.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Scholarships
Scholarships to study in the USA or all the international applicants on the basis of merit are available for which an application needs to be submitted by January 15 to be considered. The results for Scholarships are declared by mid-February and the students can accept or reject scholarships by May 1.
These scholarships will be given based on the ACT/ SAT scores provided by the students. The minimum GPA to be considered for scholarships is 3.0 in high school.The graduate applicants are also eligible for graduate assistantships given by their respective departments.
Some of the scholarships offered by the University are :
| Name of Scholarship | Eligibility- Minimum Scores | Value of award in USD |
|---|---|---|
| Presidential Scholar | SAT Score- 1530, ACT Score- 35-36 | 8000 |
| Gold Scholar | SAT Score-1490, ACT Score-34 | 6000 |
| Silver Scholar | SAT Score-1390, ACT Score- 33-31 | 5000 |
| Copper Scholar | SAT Score-1300. ACT Score-30-28 | 3000 |
| Miner Scholar | SAT Score-1200, ACT Score- 27-25 | 2000 |
| Hardrock Scholar | SAT Score- 1160, ACT Score- 24 | 1000 |
Work While Study
The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has a work program for students who have applied for Financial needs through the FAFSA form( Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA form must be filled by October 1. This program allows students to work on campus as well as off-campus.
- The students can work for 10- 12 hours per week. The annual maximum award will be 2500 USD, depending on other factors like the experience or special training that students may have.
- The students can also apply for off-campus jobs but they must make sure that these are following their class schedule.
- Off-campus employment may include community service work and family literacy programs.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Alumni
The alumni of the college continuously work to promote the college and maintain the connection amongst members.’Hardrock’ is a regular magazine published by the alumni providing information on various issues. Alumni also help in career counseling and fundraising events.
Some of the Notable Alumni who have studied at South Dakota school of Mine and Technology include:
- James Abourezk- Former U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator
- Marty Jackley- Attorney General of South Dakota
- D. Sherwin Artus- Director and Former CEO of Whiting Petroleum Corp
- Richard H. Frank- President and CEO (Darby Emerging Markets Fund),
- Tony Jensen- President and CEO of Royal Gold
- Al Kurtenbach- Founder of Daktronics
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Placement
The average starting salary of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Graduates is 66,516 USD. The University has an excellent placement of 97% with graduates working at firms like Microsoft, Kimberly- Clark, Baker Hughes, Abbott, Nevada Goldmines.
The Highest salary offered by graduates who completed Mining engineering is 71,833 USD while that of Metallurgical Engineering is 69, 171 USD.
Some of the salaries earned by the graduates of the university are as follows:
| Position | Average Annual Salary in USD |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | 71,000 |
| Electrical Engineer | 70,000 |
| Civil Engineer | 64,000 |
| Project Engineer | 80,000 |
Pursuing engineering education with South Dakota School of Mines and Technology can be fruitful for any international student looking forward to pursuing cheaper education in the US.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology FAQs
Ques. When can I apply for admission to the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
Ans. High school students can apply in the fall of senior year. The students should apply by the firm deadline of January 15 if they wish to be considered for a merit-based scholarship. The applications for online programs offered by the University are accepted throughout the year.
Ques. What are the accepted English Test scores by the University?
Ans. The accepted English test scores for undergraduates and graduates are.TOEFL iBT- 68, TOEFL PBT- 520, IELTS- 5.5,Pearson Test of English Academic- 47.
Ques. Does the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology provide on-campus accommodations?
Ans. The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology provides on-campus housing accommodations as well as several off-campus recommendations. The students can start applying for on-campus housing Accommodations from February 15. The Freshmen students have two on-campus accommodation options during their first year at SDSMT- Community Living and Peterson Interest Communities
Ques. What are the application fees for the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
Ans. The application fees for undergraduate programs are 20 USD, while that for graduate programs is 35 USD. Once the applications are submitted the students are required to submit documents 3 months before the commencement of the semester.
Ques. When should students apply for Housing accommodation?
Ans. The housing application for freshman students opens in mid-February. The application will be accepted until school starts in Fall. The students can also apply for Housing applications in the spring and fall semesters. Applications will begin on September 1.
Courses & Fees
Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way
Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.
Courses
26
Fee from
₹13,29,452.37
Exams
IELTS · TOEFL
Showing 5 of 15 bachelors
Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration4 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 45.7 L/Yr
Native FeeUSD 48,799 /Yr
Admission Guide
Admission Process
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (SDSMT) accepts admission in Spring, Fall and Summer season. The university has over 2800 students enrolled in Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM) courses. SDSMT has an acceptance rate of 84.5%.
- To be considered for merit-based scholarships, you must be ADMITTED by January 15 and complete the scholarship application - international.
- The minimum GPA of 2.75 is required for admission.
- A minimum Math sub-score of 590 in SAT or 25 in ACT is accepted for admissions
- Application for all the courses are accepted online through the official website of the Institute
- For making an application, a non-refundable application fee of $20 is to be submitted by the applicants
Highlights
| Application Portal | www.sdsmt.edu/apply |
| Application Fee | UG - 20 USD PG - 35 USD (MS) |
| Intake Seasons | Spring, Fall, Summer |
| Payment Mode | Credit/Debit card/Cheque |
| Average GPA | 2.75 |
| Acceptance Rate | 84.5% |
| SAT/ACT | 590/25 |
| Email ID for international students | [email protected] |
| Work Opportunities for International Students | Available |
| Institutional code | ACT code: 3922 SAT code: 6652 |
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Admission deadlines
The general deadlines for admissions are given below -
| Courses | Deadlines |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | January 15 |
| Graduate | |
| Fall (August) | February 15th |
| Spring (January) | August 15th |
| Summer (June) | January 15th |
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology International Admission
Applications from International applicants are managed by the International Admission office of the Institute. The institute provides all the necessary assistance required to the International applicants in regards to enrolment in the courses.
The requirements for International students are listed below:
- Complete application form (to be filled online) along with the submission of application fee
- Official Transcripts: Issued by official school/university. Copied documents must have government or official seal marking it original. Documents must be in a sealed envelope with University or Government seal as originals or certified copy
- Electronic Transcripts: Transcripts in electronic mode are to be submitted through eSCRIP-SAFE, the Global Electronic Transcript Delivery Network. Transcripts sent through E-mail would not be accepted.
- International applicants would have to undergo a third-party foreign transcript evaluation.
Language Requirements for International Students
| English Language Test | Minimum Score | Upper-Level Score |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL-iBT (Internet Based) | 68 | 83 |
| TOEFL- PBT (Paper-based Test) | 520 | 560 |
| IELTS | 5.5 | 6.5 |
| PTE | 47 | 56 |
Conditional Admission - Applicants who are planning to attend an intensive English as a Second Language (ESL) program in the US prior to attending the School of Mines may be eligible for conditional admission.
An intensive ESL program is not offered on the SDSMT campus. Conditional admission may be granted if the applicant meets admission requirements with the exception of the minimum English score as indicated above.
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Undergraduate Admission
The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology offers UG courses in the field of engineering and science. To apply for admission the applicants have to fulfil the following requirements.
Admission requirements -
- Official transcripts
- A minimum GPA of 2.75
- SAT or ACT score
- Applicant’s personal statement
- Letter of recommendation
| SAT (Composite) | 1030 |
| SAT (math subscore) | 520 |
| ACT (Composite) | 20 |
| ACT (math subscore) | 20 |
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Graduate Admission
Application Portal: Graduate Application Portal
Application fee: 35 USD
Admission process and requirement varies from course to course (except for the general minimum requirements). The details regarding admission requirements for the graduate programs are listed below.
| Course | Academic Requirements | Minimum English Language Proficiency |
|---|---|---|
| MS Civil and Environmental Engineering | 4-year undergraduate degree or it's equivalent; Minimum GPA of 3.0; GRE/GMAT; Resume; Statement of purpose GPA 2.75 with relevant work Experience |
TOEFL-iBT: 68 TOEFL-PBT: 520 PET: 47 IELTS: 6.5 |
| MS Computer Engineering | 4-year undergraduate degree or it's equivalent; Minimum GPA of 3.0; GRE/GMAT; Resume; Statement of purpose GPA 2.75 with relevant work Experience |
TOEFL-iBT: 68 TOEFL-PBT: 520 PET: 47 IELTS: 6.5 |
| MS Electrical Engineering | 4-year undergraduate degree or it's equivalent; Minimum GPA of 3.0; GRE/GMAT; Resume; Statement of purpose GPA 2.75 with relevant work Experience |
TOEFL-iBT: 68 TOEFL-PBT: 520 PET: 47 IELTS: 6.5 |
| MS Material Engineering and Science | 4-year undergraduate degree or it's equivalent; Minimum GPA of 3.0; GRE/GMAT; Resume; Statement of purpose GPA 2.75 with relevant work Experience |
TOEFL-iBT: 68 TOEFL-PBT: 520 PET: 47 IELTS: 6.5 |
| MS Engineering Management | 4-year undergraduate degree or it's equivalent; Minimum GPA of 3.0; GRE/GMAT; Resume; Statement of purpose GPA 2.75 with relevant work Experience |
TOEFL-iBT: 68 TOEFL-PBT: 520 PET: 47 IELTS: 6.5 |
Applicants who submit all documents before the deadlines will generally receive a decision within 1 month or less of the stated deadline. Decisions will be communicated via email and postal mail.
Placements & Recruiters
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Placement Details
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in Rapid City, South Dakota, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.
Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in Rapid City, South Dakota, United States.
Recruiters
N/A
Salary Metrics
0/2
Placement Metric
Average Package
N/A
Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.
Placement information is currently limited.
More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.
Rankings over the years
Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.
2021
Highlights
2021
2021
- Best overall country rank: #299
- Overall: #299 in country
- Top source: CWUR
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall
- 1 ranking record in 2021
2022
Highlights
2022
2022
- Best overall country rank: #287
- Overall: #287 in country
- Top source: CWUR
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall
- 1 ranking record in 2022
2024
Highlights
2024
2024
- Engineering: #52 in country
- Top source: US News
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Engineering
- 1 ranking record in 2024
2025
Highlights
2025
2025
- Best overall country rank: #272
- Earth Sciences: #20 in country
- Top source: US News
- 3 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Engineering, Earth Sciences
- 2 ranking records in 2025
2026
Highlights
2026
2026
- Best overall country rank: #61
- Overall: #61 in country
- Top source: THE
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall
- 1 ranking record in 2026
Contact Information
501 E Saint Joseph St. Rapid City, SD 57701
+1-605-394-2511
+1-800-544-8162
Student Reviews & Ratings
Overall sentiment and category-wise rating summary
Overall score
41.3/10
Top Rated
Based on 0 ratings