The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Engineering program was established in 1885, when the South Dakota Legislature granted a charter to the school. The first classes were held in the basement of a local church, and the school quickly gained a reputation for excellence in engineering, mathematics, and science. As the years progressed, new buildings were constructed to accommodate the growing student body and faculty. In 1896, the school was renamed South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (SDSM&T) and began offering bachelor’s degrees in engineering.
In 1910 an engineering building was built to house a new electrical engineering department. This department became one of the most popular departments on campus with over 1,000 students enrolled by 1915. During this period SDSM&T also established an industrial research laboratory where faculty members could conduct research into various technologies. During World War I SDSM&T provided training for military personnel in radio communication and other electrical systems used by the military during that time.
The 1920s saw many changes at SDSM&T as new majors such as civil engineering and mechanical engineering were added to its curriculum along with strong ties being formed with industry leaders such as General Electric Company (GE). In 1932, SDSM&T opened its first graduate program offering master’s degrees in electrical engineering and civil engineering. By 1940 enrollment had grown to over 2,000 students including many women who had been admitted for the first time that year.
With World War II looming on the horizon SDSM&T shifted its focus from educating engineers to helping with war efforts by producing munitions and providing training for military personnel in various technical fields such as radar operation and cryptography. After World War II ended SDSM&T continued to grow rapidly with enrollment reaching 3,500 students by 1950 which included its first international student from India. The 1950s also saw an increase in research activity at SDSM&T as faculty members began working on projects funded by government agencies such as NASA which included developing components for satellites that would eventually be used during space exploration missions throughout the 1960s and 70s.
As one of the best engineering schools in the state of South Dakota, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Engineering has reported the following admissions statistics, including the acceptance rate, average GPA/GRE scores, and minimum TOEFL scores for iBT and paper test. Also covered is overall rankings and tuition scholarship information for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Engineering.
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South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is short for SDSMT. However, it is only one meaning of SDSMT. Check abbreviationfinder to see what else does SDSMT stand for.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
501 E. St. Joseph Street Rapid City, SD 57701-3995
Admissions: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
The admissions statistics of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Engineering are impressive. The acceptance rate is an impressive 79%, meaning that four out of five applicants are accepted into the program. This is higher than the average acceptance rate for engineering programs, which stands at around 70%. In terms of demographics, the majority of students in the engineering program come from South Dakota and surrounding states, with a small percentage coming from other parts of the US and abroad. In terms of gender, there is a slight majority of male students in the program.
The average ACT score for accepted students is 28, while the average SAT score is 1250. These scores are slightly higher than those required by other engineering programs in the region. The school also looks at factors such as GPA, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation when considering applicants. This holistic approach helps to ensure that all applicants have a fair chance to be admitted into this prestigious program. Furthermore, students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for a variety of scholarships to help cover tuition costs.
Fall 2022 Admissions Statistics
Total applicants (master’s and Ph.D.)
143
Total acceptances (master’s and Ph.D.)
139
Overall acceptance rate
97.2%
Fall 2022 Admissions Information
Application deadline for U.S. residents
rolling
Application fee for U.S. residents
$35
Application deadline for international students
N/A
Application fee for international students
$35
Director of admissions
Dr. John Heldson
2022 Entering Class GPA and GRE Scores
GRE required?
The GRE is required by some, but not all departments.
Average GPA of new entrants in master’s program
N/A
Number reporting GPA for master’s programs
N/A
Average verbal GRE score of new entrants in master’s program
418
Number reporting verbal GRE score for master’s programs
18
Average quantitative GRE score of new entrants in master’s program
688
Number reporting quantitative GRE score for master’s programs
18
Average writing GRE score of new entrants in master’s program
3.19
Number reporting writing GRE score for master’s programs
18
Average GPA of new entrants in doctoral program
N/A
Number reporting GPA for doctoral programs
N/A
Average verbal GRE score of new entrants in doctoral program
338
Number reporting verbal GRE score for doctoral programs
4
Average quantitative GRE score of new entrants in doctoral program
750
Number reporting quantitative GRE score for doctoral programs
4
Average writing GRE score of new entrants in doctoral program
3.38
Number reporting writing GRE score for doctoral programs
4
Average GPA of new entrants in both master’s and doctoral programs
N/A
Number reporting GPA for both master’s and doctoral programs
N/A
Average verbal GRE score of new entrants in both master’s and doctoral programs
404
Number reporting verbal GRE score for both master’s and doctoral programs
22
Average quantitative GRE score of new entrants in both master’s and doctoral programs
700
Number reporting quantitative GRE scores for master’s and doctoral programs
22
Average writing GRE score of new entrants in both master’s and doctoral programs
3.28
Number reporting writing GRE score for both master’s and doctoral programs
22
TOEFL
TOEFL required for international students?
Yes
Minimum TOEFL score required for computer test
190
Minimum TOEFL score required for paper test
520
Ranking: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSM&T) is well-respected for its engineering programs. According to U.S. News & World Report, the SDSM&T’s engineering programs are ranked in the top 100 nationally, with its Civil Engineering program ranking at number 64 and its Mechanical Engineering program ranking at number 89. The school is also known for its excellence in Petroleum Engineering, ranking number 18 among all such programs in the country. In addition to these rankings, SDSM&T regularly earns top marks from the Princeton Review for best engineering schools and has been recognized by the National Academy of Engineering for excellence in research and education.
In terms of student success, SDSM&T boasts a 97 percent job placement rate within six months of graduation for all engineering students. The school also has strong ties with industry partners such as Microsoft, Boeing, Caterpillar, and many more which provide students with valuable internships and job opportunities upon graduation. This helps graduates start their careers off on a strong foot as they gain experience from some of the most respected companies in the world. Furthermore, SDSM&T’s alumni network is incredibly robust and provides invaluable connections to help students make even more progress after graduating with their degree.
Top Engineering Schools
Score
N/A
Peer assessment score (5.0 highest)
2.0
Recruiter assessment score (5.0 highest)
2.8
Average quantitative GRE score of new entrants in both master’s and doctoral programs
700
Overall acceptance rate
97.2%
2020 Ph.D. student/faculty ratio
0.5
Faculty membership in National Academy of Engineering
0.0%
2020 Engineering school research expenditures (in millions)
$9.3
Research expenditures per faculty member (in thousands)
$132.8
2020 Ph.D.’s granted
1
Total graduate engineering enrollment
197
Tuition & Financial Aid: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Financial Aid Contact Information
Financial aid director
David Martin
Financial aid phone
(605) 394-2400
2022-2023 Expenses
Tuition
In-state, full-time: $134 per credit, part-time: $134 per credit; Out-of-state, full-time: $394 per credit, part-time: $394 per credit
