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82.7%Acceptance
$10,400Tuition
2,042Students
58%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$72,257Earnings
#3 in South DakotaPublic4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalNCAA Division IIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

Student Outcomes

Graduation Rate (4-year)
57.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
58.2%
Retention Rate
84.1%
Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
$72,257
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
12:1
Loan Repayment Rate
78.9%
Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
$286/mo

Earnings by Major

Top programs ranked by median earnings

Earnings and debt by program
Program Level Median Earnings Median Debt
Mining and Mineral Engineering. Bachelor $74,953 $27,164
Chemical Engineering. Bachelor $69,338 $27,000
Mechanical Engineering. Bachelor $67,789 $25,500
Industrial Engineering. Bachelor $63,005 $25,000
Computer and Information Sciences, General. Bachelor $61,020 $27,000
Civil Engineering. Bachelor $60,523 $27,000
Geological/Geophysical Engineering. Bachelor $50,856

Outcomes Overview

Graduates earn a median of $72,257 ten years after graduation, giving them a debt-to-earnings ratio of 37% with typical debt of $27,000. Monthly loan payments of $286 represent about 4.8% of gross income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The 96.4% employment rate reflects strong demand for engineers in mining, energy, and technology sectors. Most graduates find work with companies like 3M, Caterpillar, and various mining operations across the Mountain West. The loan repayment rate of 78.90% shows most students can handle their debt load. With relatively low tuition costs and solid engineering salaries, this represents a strong return on investment for students willing to work in technical fields.