At South Dakota Mines, we are curious. We are tenacious. We plan to change the world with STEM, and we invite you to join us.

Named one of the best engineering schools in the country for return on investment, South Dakota Mines is the place you’ll find your people. You’ll master skills you didn’t think possible and study alongside passionate, brilliant classmates. You’ll learn from world-class science and engineering professors and have the opportunity to do research even as an undergrad.

Join us and we will prepare you for what’s next!

STEM Education with Real-World Relevance

With more than 20 bachelor’s degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), South Dakota Mines will open a whole world to you. Learn about our many programs here and don’t forget about our accelerated master’s degree, which allows you to finish both an undergrad and master’s in just five years. You’ll have an opportunity to explore everything from robotics and counterfeit drug prevention, to dinosaurs and pre-healthcare.

Our programs emphasize hands-on learning in maker spaces and labs that feature the same equipment you’ll use on the job. Break things. Build things. Then get paid to do it professionally.

The future is STEM, with careers expected to grow 13% by 2027. Come find your future at South Dakota Mines. Learn More

Here, You're Never a Number

A world-class education calls for faculty who are excellent instructors—and exceptional mentors too. At South Dakota Mines, you’ll benefit from small class sizes and ample face time with experienced professors who are every bit as invested in your success as you are. With their extensive knowledge, personalized guidance and valuable industry connections at your disposal, you’ll have all the support you’ll need to bring your goals to life. Learn More

A Location Unlike Any Other

There’s a reason the Black Hills attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. There’s tons to see and do! Our campus is nestled in the eastern slope of the Black Hills, just minutes away from the vibrant streets of Rapid City. Walk or bike downtown to grab a bite with friends, check out the local shops or put your puzzle-solving skills to the test at an escape room. Want to get away from it all for a while? Embark on an outdoor adventure in Badlands National Park or the Black Hills National Forest, where you can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, hunting, kayaking, trail riding and so much more. Learn More

Maximum Value for Your Money

South Dakota Mines students get hired—often before they’ve even finished school. Our recent graduates have an average starting salary of $66,516, so you can be sure that you’ll get an excellent return on your college investment.

When it comes to return on investment, South Dakota Mines is hard to beat. For the past three years, we’ve been named the #1 Engineering School for Return on Investment from among 323 similar institutions across the United States. It’s also among the top 100 schools in the country for early and mid-career salaries. As a Mines graduate, you will enjoy an average starting salary of $66,500 and a placement rate of 96%.

A degree from Mines will take you places. Learn More

Collaboration Over Competition

Students at South Dakota Mines are smart, but nobody’s perfect. We believe that with cooperation and support for one another, we can empower every member of our campus community to reach their full potential.

Life at South Dakota Mines is more than books, homework, and tests. It’s robot races on the Quad, blacksmithing on Friday afternoons, late-night hangouts with friends in the dorm, and cheering for your favorite Hardrocker sports team. It’s finding “your” people – friends who geek out at the same stuff you do, whether that’s esports, robotics, fossils, or chemistry experiments. You’ll work alongside “your” people in classrooms and on student teams and organizations. At Mines, it’s more about collaboration than competition, and you’ll never be alone in your passions and interests. Learn More