Mines News

Multiple university ranking organizations place South Dakota School of Mines & Technology among the top schools in the nation for value and return on investment (ROI). The rankings show South Dakota Mines remains an excellent financial investment for those seeking degrees in STEM fields, including healthcare and technology business management.

As a result of the global coronavirus pandemic, many students are considering affordable universities that provide high-value outcomes. Mines graduates have enjoyed a placement rate in a job and/or graduate school above 97% for many years.

Previous economic downturns have proven that STEM-related jobs remain in high demand. In 2008 and 2009, during the depth of the last recession, Mines’ placement rate held steady at 97%. Furthermore, the science, engineering, and healthcare leaders who graduate from Mines are trained problem solvers needed by the United States to deal with the current crisis and the challenges of the future.

The 2020 rankings include a long list of organizations that place South Dakota Mines among the best in the nation:

• MSN Money ranks 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 Mines in the top 5% for ROI over a 40-year span. Mines ROI is far above any other university in the state of South Dakota. 

• Master’s Programs Guide ranked the university’s online graduate programs fourth in the nation for being most affordable. Mines chemical engineering program was ranked second in nation. The online civil engineering and engineering management programs were also ranked among the top 50 in the nation.  

• Intelligent gives South Dakota Mines online and on campus graduate programs high rankings on the basis of faculty, flexibility, reputation, outcomes, and cost. Mines is ranked second in the nation for most affordable masters in engineering degree programs. The university is also ranked second in the nation for the best mining engineering degree.  Intelligent ranks Mines’ master’s in construction management third in the county.  

• Affordable Schools ranks Mines in the top 50 best affordable degrees in biomedical engineering, civil engineering, and electrical engineering. 

• TextbookRush ranks Mines number one in South Dakota and 29th out of 1,700 schools in the nation for best value. 

• SmartAsset ranks South Dakota Mines number one for starting salary and best value in the state.  

• Zippia ranks Mines the best university for veterans in South Dakota. This ranking comes alongside previous awards the university has received for serving veterans. 

These rankings join previous reports citing the university’s value. In 2019 and 2018, College Factual ranked Mines as the number one engineering school in the country for return on investment. 

Unlike some other high-value universities, South Dakota Mines gives admission to more than 80 percent of applicants. Most who meet the minimum requirements are accepted. The university also offers an array of scholarships and financial aid.