South Dakota School of Mines and Technology vs University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT) and University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) are two distinct universities with unique offerings. SDSMT, located in Rapid City, South Dakota, is a public research university specializing in engineering, science, and technology. UAF, situated in Fairbanks, Alaska, is a public land-grant research university with a focus on Arctic and northern studies. While both institutions provide high-quality education, they differ in several aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. This side-by-side comparison will delve into these differences, helping prospective students make informed decisions about their higher education journey.
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![]() South Dakota School of Mines and Technology |
![]() University of Alaska Fairbanks |
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Overview |
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Location | Rapid City, South Dakota | Fairbanks, Alaska |
Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 70.0% | 68.0% |
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No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 80.5% | 64.7% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | 1155 - 1355 | 1110 - 1360 |
ACT range | 24 - 29 | 17 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 26.0% | 12.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 84.0% | 16.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,445 | 1,402 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,163 | 907 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 489 | 678 |
Yield rate | 42.0% | 74.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | 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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In state:
$25,548
Out of state:
$39,684
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Average net price | $19,257 | $9,379 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,820
Out of state:
$12,240
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In state:
$5,616
Out of state:
$19,200
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,060
Meal plan:
$4,080
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Room/dormitory:
$5,150
Meal plan:
$5,390
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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 |
90.0%
Average amount $8,808 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
52.0%
Average amount $4,907 |
21.0%
Average amount $5,312 |
Students taking out private loans |
13.0%
Average amount $12,435 |
2.0%
Average amount $13,596 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,083
Men 76.4% Women 23.6% |
5,844
Men 38.4% Women 61.6% |
Graduate students |
333
Men 76.3% Women 23.7% |
982
Men 38.7% Women 61.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 63.0% | 17.1% |
International students | 5.3% | 2.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 1,082 | 1,554 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | South Dakota Colorado Minnesota Nebraska Wyoming | Alaska Washington California Oregon Florida |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 52.3% | 38.4% |
Dropout rate | 35.2% | 39.6% |
Transferred out | 7.2% | 18.1% |
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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Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees)
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