Points of Pride

Strong Outcomes - 2018-19 Graduates

Average Starting Salary: $66,516     
Our starting salary information is based on actual numbers reported by graduates. This information differs from College Scorecard information because our data includes all students, not just those who received some form of federal financial aid. 

Employers: 222 employers in 38 States

Top Employers of Graduates

Prestigious Awards since 2003

Fulbright Scholars (2)
David LaPorte, 2016; Broc Kokesh, 2018
* Generally, the acceptance rate for Fulbright Scholarships is 20%, although it does vary year by year but only by a few percentage points. The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program sends American scholars and professionals abroad to lecture or conduct research for up to a year.

Goldwater Scholars (4)
Andrew Farke, 2003; Jesse Hinricher, 2015; William Trevillyan, 2018; William Jackson “Jack” Carpenter, 2019
*The most prestigious undergraduate scholarship given in the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics. Awarded annually to about 300 college sophomores and juniors nationwide.

Udall Scholars (3)
Vaughn J Vargas, 2014; Tyler Rust, 2015; DeVaughn Pearson, 2016
* The Udall scholarship honors the legacies of Morris Udall and Stewart Udall, whose careers had a significant impact on Native American self-governance, health care, and the stewardship of public lands and natural resources. In 2020, the Udall Foundation awarded scholarships to 55 sophomores and juniors from 48 colleges and universities. The 2020 Udall Scholars were selected from among 429 candidates at 199 colleges and universities.

Truman Scholars (1)
Vaughn J Vargas, 2016
* The Truman Scholarship is the premier graduate scholarship for aspiring public service leaders in the United States. In 2020, 62 college students from 55 institutions were selected as Truman Scholars.

Boren Award (1)
Tyler Borgwardt, 2017
*Funds study abroad by U.S. undergraduate students in world regions critical to U.S. interests.

Critical Language (1)
Lucas Lindholm, 2016
*The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. Students spend eight to ten weeks abroad studying one of 15 critical languages.

Female RMAC Women of the Year (2)
Janelle Strampe, 2015; Megan Rohr, 2017

2x NCAA Google Academic All-American (1)
Justin Barkow, 2017 & 2018

First place in Governor’s Giant Vision Business Competition, Student Division (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020)
*The SD Governor's Office of Economic Development hosts the Giant Vision Business Plan Competition each year to encourage both business and student entrepreneurs to build their dreams in South Dakota.

South Dakota Mines Professor SD Entrepreneur of the Year (2018)
*Read the article here.

Outstanding Alumni

• South Dakota Mines has over 20,000 alumni
• Nearly 200 business owners
• Over 500 CEO's and Senior Executives 

Check out our #RockinBosses

University Rankings

#1 Engineering School in the country for Return on Investment - College Factual

#1 in South Dakota for value and starting salary - SmartAsset

#1 University for veterans in South Dakota - Zippia

#2 Chemical Engineering MS in the nation - Masters Program Guide

#2 in the nation for most affordable masters in engineering degree programs, #2 in the nation for the best mining engineering degree, and #3 in the country for master’s in construction management - Intelligent

#4 Best Online Graduate Programs - EDsmart

#4 Graduate Programs for Veterans - Military Friendly

MSN Money ranks South Dakota Mines among the top 50 universities in the country for being most affordable with the best outcome.

A degree from South Dakota Mines has a lifelong value. A study by Georgetown University examining 4,500 schools in the country puts South Dakota Mines in the top 5% for ROI over a 40-year span. South Dakota Mines ROI is far above any other university in the state of South Dakota.