Company Profile
South Dakota Mines
Company Overview
South Dakota Mines is a best-in-class STEM university that offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees located in Rapid City, South Dakota. At Mines, our vision is to develop world-class leaders in science and engineering to benefit society through education, innovation, and engagement. Nearly 2,500 students from every state and 43 countries are represented on our campus. Mines is an affordable option with a great return on investment.
Known for our academic rigor, we maintain an average class size of 24 and our students benefit from immersive learning experiences including undergraduate research, co-ops/internships, and nationally competitive engineering teams. These experiences make graduates highly sought after by industry and attributes to high starting salaries and 97% placement rate in the field of study.
Research at Mines encompasses four main areas: energy and environment; materials and manufacturing; STEM education; and underground science and engineering. Entrepreneurship is highly valued and programming assists students and faculty to engage in entrepreneurial activities and transition scientific and technological innovations into viable products and business startups.
Company History
South Dakota Mines has a long history, one that started before South Dakota gained statehood. The Dakota School of Mines was founded in 1885, with the cornerstone of the first building being dedicated on August 19. The first class was held almost two years later in 1887.
Since the first cornerstone was dedicated, the School of Mines has grown to be a prestigious university. The School of Mines was recognized in the national spotlight in 2007 when it was named one of “America’s 100 Best Buys” for the 10th consecutive year. In 2008, it was announced that the School of Mines is the only university in the nation where starting salaries for graduates are equivalent to the cost of a four-year degree, the nation’s best college investment. In 2009, Mines was named the Military Friendly School for 2010 by G.I. Jobs Magazine. In 2012, Bloomberg News reported that Mines graduates out earn Harvard graduates when they enter the job market, and the story goes viral.
Research at Mines reached new heights in 2009, when Mines researchers were awarded nearly $21 million in research and development funding, the highest amount in the history of the university.
In July 2017, researchers at Mines were on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony that marked the start of construction on the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). The facility will become home to the international collaboration known as the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE).
Benefits
South Dakota Mines is committed to recruiting and retaining a talented workforce and offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life coverage options for employees, spouses, and dependents; retirement plans; paid holidays; and a generous vacation and sick day allowance.