South Dakota School of Mines and Technology — ROI, Cost & Payback
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology charges a net price of $20,183/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $80,732. Graduates earn a median $72,257 ten years after entry, $23,897/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3.4 years — a 20-year net return of $397,208, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's 3.4-year payback ranks #220 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 83% of them, and #1 of 17 in South Dakota.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $20,183/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $80,732 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $72,257 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $23,897/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $27,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 3.4 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $397,208 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's own numbers. Net price $20,183 × 4 years = $80,732 total. Median earnings $72,257 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $23,897 a year of premium. $80,732 ÷ $23,897 = 3.4 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $397,208. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students graduate with?
A median $27,000 in federal loans among completers, or 37% of the $72,257 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students graduate?
53% finish their degree — 47% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $80,732 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $152,325 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology expensive compared with other South Dakota colleges?
Its $20,183 net price runs $448 above the $19,735 median across the 17 South Dakota colleges we profile, or $1,792 more across the full degree.