South Dakota School of Mines and Technology vs Stanford
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT) and Stanford University stand as two distinct academic institutions, each offering unique opportunities and experiences to their students. SDSMT, a public research university located in Rapid City, South Dakota, is renowned for its strong programs in engineering, science, and technology. In contrast, Stanford University, a private research university situated in Stanford, California, is known for its academic excellence across a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, humanities, and social sciences. While both universities share a commitment to providing high-quality education, they differ significantly in terms of acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which institution better aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() South Dakota School of Mines and Technology |
![]() Stanford University |
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Overview |
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Location | Rapid City, South Dakota | Stanford, California |
Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 70.0% | 98.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 80.5% | 3.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
|
Undergraduate:
$90
Graduate:
$125
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SAT range | 1155 - 1355 | 1470 - 1570 |
ACT range | 24 - 29 | 34 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 26.0% | 15.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 84.0% | 11.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,445 | 55,471 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,163 | 2,190 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 489 | 1,757 |
Yield rate | 42.0% | 80.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$29,330
Out of state:
$33,750
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$78,898 |
Average net price | $19,257 | $14,402 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,820
Out of state:
$12,240
|
$55,473 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,060
Meal plan:
$4,080
|
Room/dormitory:
$11,166
Meal plan:
$6,694
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
83.0%
Average amount $5,895 |
61.0%
Average amount $56,211 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
52.0%
Average amount $4,907 |
5.0%
Average amount $5,151 |
Students taking out private loans |
13.0%
Average amount $12,435 |
1.0%
Average amount $17,186 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,083
Men 76.4% Women 23.6% |
7,645
Men 49.4% Women 50.6% |
Graduate students |
333
Men 76.3% Women 23.7% |
10,035
Men 56.5% Women 43.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 63.0% | 58.5% |
International students | 5.3% | 24.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,082 | 14,621 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | South Dakota Colorado Minnesota Nebraska Wyoming | California Texas Washington New York Illinois |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 5:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 52.3% | 95.5% |
Dropout rate | 35.2% | 1.7% |
Transferred out | 7.2% | 0.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Geological/Geophysical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
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Law (First Professional Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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