Best Mechanical Engineering Colleges in South Dakota2026 Rankings
South Dakota is home to 2 accredited institutions offering Mechanical Engineering programs — from large public research universities to small private liberal arts colleges. This ranking evaluates each school on admission selectivity, four-year graduation rate, net price, and graduate earnings to surface the programs that deliver the strongest outcomes.
Among the schools listed here, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is the most selective, admitting 85% of applicants. Average in-state tuition across this group sits at $9,850, while out-of-state students can expect to pay around $13,805. Median early-career earnings for Mechanical Engineering graduates in this state average $63,987 per year, and the average four-year graduation rate among ranked programs is 59%.
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| # | College | Value Score | Admit Rate | Grad Rate | Net Price | Median Earnings | Student:Faculty | Majors Offered | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyPublic | Good· 31 | 85% | 58% | $20,041 | $69,667 | 12:1 | 23 | 2,042 |
| 2 | South Dakota State UniversityPublic | Average· 28 | 99% | 60% | $17,811 | $67,791 | 17:1 | 77 | 8,798 |