Best Engineering Schools in South Dakota

Engineering programs at colleges provide specializations that match the careers available in the sector. One of five technical institutes or community colleges in South Dakota, including the Southeast Technical Institute, is open to students seeking an engineering certificate or associate’s degree. Additionally, there is Sinte Gleska University, a private institution for Native American students, which offers associate’s degrees in engineering.

Also, South Dakota State University, the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and Black Hills State University all offer bachelor’s degrees in engineering. A bachelor’s degree in engineering is also provided at Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s private Augustana College. Along with South Dakota State University and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, the University of South Dakota offers a graduate engineering degree.

Both South Dakota State University and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology provide complete engineering degrees in a wide range of specialties. Unusual for a liberal arts college, Augustana College of Sioux Falls offers a dual-degree engineering program. Through this program, students can enroll at one of many top-tier affiliated colleges from across the nation and earn a B.S. in concurrent engineering in addition to a B.A. from Augustana.

Pre-engineering students can spend their first two years at the university taking fundamental engineering courses from the physics, mathematics, and earth sciences departments. The University of South Dakota provides this curriculum. They are often eligible to transfer right into the third year of a complete engineering degree at another institution after two years. Although there are engineering colleges all around South Dakota, the majority are located on the eastern border of the state, not far from Sioux Falls. The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, which is situated in Rapid City, is the lone exception.

Here are some of the top engineering schools in South Dakota:

1. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in fields such as chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering metallurgical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, mining engineering, industrial engineering, and geological engineering.

There are master’s programs in mining engineering, chemical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, electrical engineering, geological engineering, materials engineering, and biomedical engineering. The school is home to research centers and institutes focused on areas such as advanced materials, renewable energy, and geotechnical engineering. A little over 2,000 Tech students, mostly in the sciences and engineering, are pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. The school provides training through more than a dozen departments housed in a small number of colleges, including the College of Interdisciplinary Studies, the College of Earth Systems, and others.

The deadline for applications to the College of Engineering at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is rolling. For U.S. citizens and foreign students, the application price is $35 each. Full-time students pay $339 per credit in in-state tuition; full-time out-of-state students pay $680 per credit; and part-time students pay $680 per credit (out-of-state). The doctoral student-to-faculty ratio in 2021 is 0.7:1. 93 full-time faculty members work in the college of engineering at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

2. Augustana University

In the center of Sioux Falls, a thriving metropolis is where Augustana University is situated. When students want to be a part of a warm community, participate in campus life, and obtain a top-notch education from teachers who know their names, they pick Augustana. Thanks to excellent scholarships and financial help for all eligible full-time students, Augustana is still within reach of most. Using Department of Education College Scorecard Data, Zippia ranked Augustana University second in the nation for post-graduate employment in 2021.

Augustana University is less selective with an acceptance rate of 71%, students with a strong academic record stand out for admission and the application fee has been set at $0 meaning that there is no application fee. This public university offers a variety of scholarships from both internal and external bodies.

Note: Scholarships are based on need and merit. In order to qualify for this scholarship, submit your application through FAFSA.

3. Dakota State University

Dakota State university is a public university in Madison, South Dakota, the university was founded in 1881 as one of the oldest in South Dakota.

Dakota State University’s College of Computer and Cyber Sciences offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in computer science and cybersecurity. The college is home to research centers and institutes focused on areas such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cybersecurity. Although South Dakota State University is unranked in Best Engineering Schools, for U.S. citizens and foreign students, the application price is $35 each.

In addition, Dakota State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission which is one of the top accreditors in the United States. there is a variety of Scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students, future states will benefit from these numerous scholarship opportunities, you can find scholarships based on academic performance, achievement, voluntary services, and many more. Dakota State University admission is less selective with an acceptance rate of 84%.

4. University of South Dakota

The University of South Dakota is a public university, located in Vermillion, South Dakota. The University was established in 1862, and it is one of the state’s oldest universities in South Dakota.

The University of South Dakota’s Department of Computer Science offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in computer science. The department is home to research centers and institutes focused on areas such as data analytics, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. The University of South Dakota’s engineering program has a renewable application deadline. For U.S. citizens and foreign students, the application price is $35 each.

The University of South Dakota offers scholarships to both undergraduates and also teaching and research assistantships are awarded as well, it is highly competitive.

5. South Dakota State University

South Dakota State University’s College of Engineering, Agriculture, and Natural Resources offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in fields such as civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering. Every one of these programs is also available at the graduate level, where some programs lead to master’s degrees and others allow study all the way to the Ph.D. level.

Additionally, engineering minors are available in nuclear engineering, biomedical engineering, and engineering for precision agriculture. The college is home to research centers and institutes focused on areas such as advanced materials, renewable energy, and food processing. The Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at South Dakota State University has a long history of providing a comprehensive educational experience that is centered on student achievement, both during their time in the program and after they graduate.

Its academic programs are designed to cover a wide range of civil engineering subjects in depth. The hardworking instructors and staff are committed to providing excellent instruction and student assistance. Its cutting-edge facilities are crucial to study, research, and practical experience. Its exceptional student body is dedicated to scholarship and volunteerism. The average cost of tuition after the deduction of the grant is $19k. The graduation and acceptance rate is 57% and 87% respectively.

It’s worth noting that these are just a few of the engineering schools in South Dakota, and there may be other schools that offer strong engineering programs as well. It’s important to research and compares various schools to determine which one is the best fit for you.