Research.com
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology logo

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

#180 in US ranking Rapid City, SD
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

Represent this school?

Update this profile on Research.com

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology award
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology award

Cost

Cost / year
$26,296
Tuition & fees
$9,726
Avg. aid
$6,819
Receiving aid
93%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
80%
SAT range
1140–1340
ACT range
24–30

Outcomes

Graduation rate
53%
Median salary
$75,138
1 yr after graduation

What does South Dakota School of Mines and Technology offer in terms of athletics?

South Dakota Mines competes as the Hardrockers in NCAA Division II athletics and is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Varsity competition is distinct from student-run clubs, intramural games, and informal recreation.

Varsity sports include football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, cross-country, track and field, and golf, with participation depending on the team and season. Students interested in varsity athletics should check a particular team's roster and recruiting process rather than assume that joining a campus sports club is the same as joining an NCAA team.

Other students can look to recreational activities and clubs, including outdoor pursuits suited to the region. The availability of a listed activity does not necessarily mean there is a varsity team or a competition opportunity every semester.

What student groups and Associations are available at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?

South Dakota Mines has student organizations spanning technical interests, recreation, and campus activities. Professional groups are particularly relevant at a specialized university because they can connect classroom subjects with peer projects and professional events.

Examples identified in student-organization information include the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Recreation-oriented examples include esports and a ski and snowboard club. The university also has student-government and performing-arts opportunities.

Club names and activity levels can change as student leadership changes. A prospective member should check the current recognized-organization directory and meeting schedule, especially if a particular competition team, professional chapter, or recreational trip is important to their decision.

Who studies at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?

South Dakota Mines enrolls about 2,576 students across undergraduate and graduate study. Its reported student-to-faculty ratio is 12 to 1, a campus-wide measure that does not specify the size of a particular introductory lecture or upper-level laboratory.

The reported incoming first-time, degree-seeking group numbered 476 students, while 56 students entered as degree-seeking transfers. Geographic-origin figures show substantial enrollment from beyond South Dakota: roughly 34% were state residents and 65% came from other U.S. states, with a smaller international share. These percentages describe reported enrollment categories, not every applicant's chance of admission.

Most enrolled students are traditional college age, although adult students also attend. Reported enrollment includes students in their late twenties, thirties, and older age groups. Among the reported first-time entering students, 95 were women and 381 were men. Such aggregate figures describe the student body; they cannot tell an applicant what an individual class, club, or social circle will be like.

How does student life look like at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?

Everyday life at South Dakota Mines combines a comparatively small student body with a strong technical-academic focus. Students can encounter peers through classes, laboratories, clubs, campus events, recreation, and shared study spaces, while commuters may organize their time on campus differently from residence-hall students.

The university reports a student health clinic and personal or psychological counseling services. It also has a veterans affairs office. Students should check current appointment procedures, eligibility, and hours rather than assume that every service operates as a walk-in resource.

Reported campus activities include a student-run newspaper, radio station, theater group, and choral groups. Those options provide ways to participate outside a major. For a new student, orientation and the early weeks of classes are practical times to find activities that fit around the workload of a science or engineering degree.

What libraries are available to students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?

Devereaux Library is South Dakota Mines' main campus library. It provides a place for study as well as access to research materials and assistance that students may need for technical coursework and projects.

Reported library services include reservable study rooms. Students can also look to the library for help finding scholarly sources, using digital research resources, and obtaining materials beyond its own collection through library services such as interlibrary loan. Access conditions for databases and remote use may depend on enrollment and university credentials.

The library is not reported to have study areas open 24 hours a day throughout the week. Students who rely on late-night work space should check its current hours, especially around examinations and academic breaks, rather than assume that the building and online services keep the same schedule.

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

2576

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

451

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

158 full time, 20 part time

Veterans affair office

Yes

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 2,216
Graduate: 360

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 2,020
Part-time: 556

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 90
Men: 361

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 118
Black or African American: 30
White: 1,693
American Indian or Alaska Native: 22
Asian: 39
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 2
Two or more races: 54
Unknown: 85

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Badminton

–Both–

Basketball

Both–Both

Cheerleading

–Both–

Cross-country running

Both–Both

Football

Men–Men

Golf

Both–Both

Racquetball

–Both–

Riflery

–Both–

Rock climbing

–Both–

Skiing (downhill)

–Both–

Soccer

MenBoth–

Squash

–Men–

Tennis

–Both–

Track and field

Both–Both

Ultimate Frisbee

–Both–

Volleyball

WomenBothWomen

Water polo

–Both–

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

Recently Published Articles