Rapid City, SD · Private University
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$72,257
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,400
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$14,800
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$59,200
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
4.88x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
1.6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
58.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$20,380
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates earn $27,257 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ranked by graduate earnings
26 graduates
18 graduates
108 graduates
23 graduates
40 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, the gap between the highest-earning major (Chemical Engineering: $102,160) and the lowest (Civil Engineering: $70,318) is $31,842/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical EngineeringBest ROI | $102,160 | 6.9x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $96,987 | 6.5x |
| Mining and Mineral Engineering(1yr data) | $90,514 | 6.1x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $80,766 | 5.5x |
| Industrial Engineering | $78,152 | 5.3x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering(1yr data) | $73,551 | 5.0x |
| Computer Engineering(1yr data) | $72,639 | 4.9x |
| Metallurgical Engineering(1yr data) | $71,985 | 4.9x |
| Civil EngineeringLowest | $70,318 | 4.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $72,257 10 years after starting, $27,257 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 1.6 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.