Admissions

Launch Your STEM Career at South Dakota Mines

You’re not just looking for a degree—you’re looking for a launchpad. A place where your time, energy, and tuition actually mean something. College is an investment, and you want to know it’s worth it. South Dakota Mines is an affordable university with incedible outcomes. An affordable university with top-tier outcomes, we don’t just hand you a diploma and send you on your way—we get you hired. We’re talking a 97% job placement rate and an average starting salary of $77,067. Because we don’t just teach—we launch. Internships with companies like Caterpillar, NASA and Garmin? Check. Hands-on research that solves real problems? Absolutely. Real-world experience isn’t extra here; it’s the foundation.

Why South Dakota Mines?

Consistently ranked as the best university in South Dakota
20+ science and engineering majors, 29 minors
97% job placement rate—one of the highest in the nation
$77,067 average starting salary for 2024 grads
Our grads are built to lead: more than 500 alumni are CEO's or executives

In-state tuition isn't just for South Dakota residents. You can get an out-of-state college experience through the South Dakota Advantage program.

Admission criteria are subject to change or amendment by the Board of Regents of South Dakota and by the six universities in the Board of Regents system. The following amended requirements have been approved by the BOR.

First-Time Applicants

Admission Requirements*

Achieve a high school GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
OR
Earn your GED credential
AND
Proof of College Algebra-readiness by one of the following methods:
- ACT or SAT math sub-score of at least 20/520
- Completion of a college math course (Intermediate Algebra or higher)
- Qualifying score on the Accuplacer exam
  
  OR
Are a South Dakota Regents' Scholar

Transfer Applicants

Transfer students who have earned fewer than 24 semester credits must also meet the freshman admission requirements above. Transfer students with 24 or more semester credits are eligible to be candidates for admission if they meet the standards below:

Have a cumulative college grade point average of 2.75 or higher.
Have proof of college algebra readiness.
Are in good standing with their most recently attended school.

NOTE: Minimum cumulative transfer GPA on all college work (24 or more total college credits) for acceptance consideration is 2.00. Applicants with cumulative transfer GPAs between 2.00 and 2.75 on all college work (24 or more total college credits) will be considered individually. Students with a lack of coursework or weak performance within mathematics and science classes are advised to improve their skills before applying.

Readmit Students

Former students who want to reapply for admission must submit another admission application and official transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions for all colleges attended since leaving the university. You must reapply for admission if you if you interrupt your attendance by a semester or more. Additional documentation will be required if a name change has occurred since prior attendance. If your attendance has been interrupted by three or more semesters, you will be required to pay the application fee.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

A student who desires to take classes at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology without being classified as a degree-seeking student must complete the undergraduate application for admission. Non-degree-seeking students are limited to enrolling in up to 30 credit hours of courses without becoming a degree-seeking student. Non-degree-seeking students may be required to submit an official copy of their previous college transcript(s) to verify prerequisites. Non-degree-seeking students are not eligible to receive financial aid.