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 in 2019 by Forbes
- #138 amongst Public Colleges by Forbes
- #207 Americas Best Value Colleges of 2019 by Forbes
Highlights
| Type of Institute | Public, co-ed |
| Establishment Year | 1885 |
| Location | Rapid City |
| Official website | vpointvisa.com |
| 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://vpointvisa.com/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.
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