Graduate Tuition and Fees

Reach Your Potential! Our commitment to providing the best quality STEM education at the lowest possible cost extends to those who choose South Dakota Mines for their graduate and doctoral studies.

2025-2026 Total Estimated Graduate Student Cost of Attendance


Master's programs require 30-33 credits for graduation and can be completed in 2 years (part-time students may take longer to complete the degree). Most PhD programs require 72 credits and can be completed within 4 years after completion of the BS degree. (The research component may take longer to complete than the minimum credits for the degree; students must remain enrolled until all degree requirements are met.) 

Direct Costs

Rates listed include all standard tuition and fees except books. International students are assessed an international student fee of $150 each fall and spring semester, in addition to the credit costs listed. Annual rates are based on full-time enrollment of 9 credits for the fall semester and 9 credits for the spring semester. Summer enrollment is optional and is not included in the costs listed.

 

SD Resident
SD Advantage WRGP
Child of Alumni 

South Dakota nonresident 

Graduate Assistant**

Distance courses (SD nonresident*)

 Tuition 

$356

$714

$0

$494

Institutional fees

$140

$140

$51

$182*

Cost per credit

$496

$854

$51

$676

Estimated yearly total

$8,928

$15,372

$918

$12,168

*The online program fee is waived for SD residents. 


Indirect Costs


Other potential expenses relating to attendance may include the following. Actual amounts may be higher or lower depending on individual circumstances. 

     Housing - $7,700
     Meals - $4,800
     Transportation - $2,800
     Personal expenses - $2,600

Graduate tuition reduction programs

**Graduate Assistantships: Graduate students who hold a teaching or research assistantship are eligible for a tuition reduction that covers 100% of tuition and program fees for campus courses. The general activity fee and other miscellaneous fees as applicable are assessed at the regular rate. Specialty courses such as field camp and remedial courses are not eligible for reduced tuition.
SD Advantage: New graduate students attending on campus from Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Wyoming who earned their undergraduate degree from a South Dakota public university are eligible for South Dakota in-state tuition rates.

Effective Summer 2024: New graduate students attending on campus from Kansas, Minnesota, and Missouri who earned their undergraduate degree from a South Dakota public university are also eligible for South Dakota in-state tuition rates.

WRGP: Western Regional Graduate Program. students attending on campus from WRGP states are eligible for the in-state tuition rate, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Rate does not apply to distance courses.  | Find out more about the WRGP program 

Minnesota Reciprocity: Residents of the state of Minnesota who are currently attending South Dakota Mines are automatically granted a reduced non-resident tuition rate. Effective summer 2025, new graduate students from Minnesota are included in the South Dakota Advantage program. New graduate students who enroll in summer 2024, fall 2024, and spring 2025 are eligible for either the reciprocity rate or the South Dakota Advantage program (whichever is the greater benefit). Please contact graduate admissions for more information.

Child of Alumni: Children of South Dakota Mines alumni who earned their undergraduate degree from a South Dakota public university can apply to receive in-state tuition rates.

Active-Duty Military: Any person who is actively serving in the armed forces of the United States and is stationed in South Dakota will be classified as a resident for tuition purposes. This shall also apply to the spouse of the active-duty personnel.  

Veterans: Veterans that have established a permanent residence in South Dakota shall be granted resident status and are not subject to the 12-month residency requirement.