
501 East Saint Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD 57701-3995, USA


South Dakota School of Mines and Technology provides a competitive athletics program as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and participates in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). The institution fields teams in a variety of sports, including men's and women's basketball, cross country, track and field, golf, and basketball. Students have opportunities to engage in both individual and team sports within a supportive and spirited environment.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology offers a variety of student organizations catering to diverse interests. Among these are the eSports club, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Skid Snowboard Club, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
Approximately 2.4% of students participate in these social organizations, reflecting a modest but engaged segment of the student body. The university has a total enrollment of 1,737 students, with 1,364 men and 373 women.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology presents a diverse student body characterized by various backgrounds and academic levels. The institution enrolls a predominantly in-state population, yet this group constitutes a relatively low proportion, placing the university in the bottom 15% nationally for in-state student representation. Conversely, the share of out-of-state students at this university is notably high, ranking in the top 10%, indicating a strong appeal beyond South Dakota's borders. Most students are from within the United States, with a high presence compared to many other schools, while international student numbers remain low, situated in the lower 30% nationwide.
The undergraduate community exhibits an age distribution largely concentrated between 18 and 21 years old, with 826 students aged 18-19 and 753 aged 20-21, highlighting the traditional college-age majority. Younger undergraduates below 18 number 72, while older students tend to decrease gradually, with only a small fraction being over 30 years old. Graduate students tend to be older on average, with the majority between ages 22 and 49, and some extending into their 50s and beyond. This spread indicates the university's accommodation of both recent high school graduates and mature students pursuing advanced degrees.
Transfer and freshman cohorts are modest in size, with 496 freshmen and 64 transfer students enrolled, both groups ranking in the lower 40% for university size nationally, reflecting a medium-scale institution.
Race and ethnicity at the university are varied but tend to cluster around average representation across different groups compared to other institutions. White students form the largest demographic at 1,688, which aligns with the school's midpoint for this ethnic category. Hispanic and Asian students account for 115 and 33 respectively, while African American representation sits at 30. Native American students number 20, a figure that places the school near the median range for this group. Multiracial students count 49, and those categorizing race as unknown total 80. Pacific Islander students are the smallest group with a count of 1. Collectively, these figures reflect moderate diversity without extreme over- or under-representation in any single ethnic category.
Student life at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology offers a range of activities and support services designed to enhance the college experience. The campus supports a variety of extracurricular organizations including a campus newspaper, drama productions, a campus radio station, and a chorus. While there is no campus band or television station, these existing outlets provide ample opportunities for student involvement in arts and media.
Health and wellness resources are accessible, with both a health clinic and psychological counseling available to students. Those who have served in the military can benefit from a dedicated veterans affairs office on campus. However, some support services such as legal assistance and a women's center are not present.
With a student-faculty ratio of approximately 12 to 1, students can generally expect manageable class sizes that allow for meaningful interaction with instructors. The campus hosts around 2,492 students, an enrollment size that is considered average when compared nationally.
Students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology have access to two libraries, including the main Devereaux Library. The library system is considered average in size, ranking just above the median nationwide for the total number of libraries available on campus. While the collection of physical books is relatively modest, with approximately 119,347 volumes placing it in the lower 40th percentile, the number of ebooks exceeds 180,000, though this still ranks below the median compared to other institutions.
The library offers an average number of databases, totaling 16, which provides a range of digital resources to support academic research. Students benefit from physical facilities and digital access alike, ensuring availability of resources whether on campus or remotely. Additionally, the libraries provide study rooms and maintain established hours with trained staff to assist users. However, these libraries do not offer all-day access but operate with around 32 service hours weekly. Shared collections are available as well, broadening the resource base accessible to students.
Total enrollment
2492Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
484Member of Athletic Associations
Data not availableTotal staff
374 full time, 84 part timeVeterans affair office
YesMain library name
Devereaux LibraryNumber of libraries on campus
2Reservable study rooms in library
Yes24h access
NoPhysical facilities
YesAccess to digital/electronic resources
YesStaff trained to provide and interpret library materials
YesEstablished library hours
YesAccess to library collections that are shared with other institutions
Yes