Engineering Technology (Bachelor's Degree) at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$60,529

Est. from national median (34 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$26,325

Est. from national median (32 programs)

Analysis

With no other Engineering Technology bachelor's programs in South Dakota to compare against, SDSMT's estimated outcomes mirror national medians exactly—$60,529 in first-year earnings against $26,325 in debt. That 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates from similar programs nationwide could reasonably manage their loans, needing less than half their first year's salary to cover what they borrowed. For a technical field where credentials matter and an 85% admission rate keeps the program accessible, these peer-program benchmarks paint a manageable financial picture.

The challenge is that these are purely estimates derived from other Engineering Technology programs nationally, not actual tracked outcomes from SDSMT graduates. As the only bachelor's-level Engineering Technology program in the state, there's simply no local data to confirm whether SDSMT delivers results consistent with, better than, or worse than those national comparables. The school's solid SAT average (1245) and low Pell percentage (16%) suggest it attracts reasonably prepared, often middle-class students, but whether those students achieve the estimated earnings remains unverified.

If your child thrives in hands-on technical education and wants to stay in South Dakota, SDSMT may be the obvious choice despite the data limitations. Just recognize you're banking on this program performing like its national peers rather than on demonstrated outcomes specific to this school.

Where South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all engineering technology bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Engineering Technology bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyRapid City	$10,400	$60,529*	—	$26,325*	—
Bemidji State UniversityBemidji	$10,164	$85,830*	$71,347	$30,982*	0.36
Eastern Washington UniversityCheney	$8,353	$70,789*	—	$25,666*	0.36
Miami University-OxfordOxford	$17,809	$69,483*	$81,683	$26,325*	0.38
Miami University-HamiltonHamilton	$7,278	$69,483*	$81,683	$26,325*	0.38
Miami University-MiddletownMiddletown	$7,278	$69,483*	$81,683	$26,325*	0.38
National Median	—	$60,529*	—	$26,325*	0.43

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with engineering technology graduates

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

$79,830/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.

$77,180/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

Operate, test, maintain, or adjust unmanned, automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical equipment. May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment to observe or record visual information at sites such as oil rigs, crop fields, buildings, or for similar infrastructure, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal. May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Robotics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain robotic equipment or related automated production systems.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.

$64,790/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Implement production processes and operate commercial-scale production equipment to produce, test, or modify materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition. Operate advanced microscopy equipment to manipulate nanoscale objects. Work under the supervision of nanoengineering staff.

$64,790/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

$64,200/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other

All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.

Photonics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, approximately 16% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 34 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.