SD
Mines is South Dakota’s premier STEM university, highly regarded by industry
for producing talented engineers, scientists and professionals with strong work
ethics. You will learn from some of the best professors in the country and
experience hands-on learning opportunities that prepare you to step easily into
your first job. Our students go on to successful careers around the world and
here at home, and you will too.
STEM is Our Specialty
Take your love of math and science and apply it to one of our 19 Bachelor of Science degrees in science, technology, engineering or math. These aren't easy degrees, but our students don't expect easy. You will tackle 21st Century challenges - such as the prevention of counterfeit drugs through
technology - with a drive and passion to make things better. As a Hardrocker, you can truly change the world.
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Engaged Learning
Engineers and scientists learn by doing, failing and doing some more. SD Mines provides plenty of hands-on learning opportunities in maker-spaces and industry standard labs, as well as in the spectacular geologically diverse landscape that surrounds the campus. As a Mines student,
you will also give back to your community, from building walkways in community parks to designing greenhouses with local tribal colleges. And when you’re ready to put your education to “work,” you’ll have the opportunity to go on co-ops or internships with companies large and small, in communities across the country
and around the world.
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Collaborative Community
Life on the SD Mines campus is more than books, classrooms and homework. It's robot races in the Quad, blacksmithing and barbeques on a Friday afternoon, late-night hangouts with friends in the dorm and cheering on one of our many Hardrocker teams. It's finding your people - those who geek out on the same stuff you do, whether that’s esports or robots or fossils. And it’s working alongside them in class or in one of our many student organizations. At Mines, you will never be alone in your passions and interests.
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Never a Number
We give students the personal attention needed to succeed. An average class size is 23 students. And, we don’t let graduate students teach; professors teach. This focus on excellence in face-to-face undergraduate education is increasingly rare in American universities and is one of the things that makes Mines
different.
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High Return on Investment
SD Mines has been named one of the best values in higher education for 19 years straight and is ranked #1 in South Dakota by PayScale for its return on investment. With a Mines diploma, you will get hired! In fact, 97 percent of recent grads entered graduate school (including medical school) or started
their careers at an average starting salary of $61,346. Now that’s a return on investment you can’t ignore.
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Discover
the Black Hills
Mines is located near one of the most beautiful places in the country if not the world – the Black Hills National Forest, home to Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Black Elk Peak. At 7,244 feet, Black Elk Peak is the highest peak between the Colorado Rockies and the Swiss Alps. Our
“Hills” offer an outdoor playground for hiking, skiing, biking and rock climbing, all less than an hour’s drive from campus. Only minutes away, you’ll find coffee houses, restaurants and shopping in historic downtown Rapid City.
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