Best colleges for Mechanical Engineering in South Dakota
Ranked by graduate earnings
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and South Dakota State University award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees and certificates in South Dakota: 111 and 71 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 2 South Dakota colleges offer Mechanical Engineering and award 182 degrees and certificates a year in all.
Mechanical Engineering is a dynamic field that focuses on the study of physical machines and mechanisms, emphasizing force and movement. This program is designed for students interested in applying principles of engineering physics,…
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City Public · Bachelor's degree | $69,667 | 111 | 53% | — | $27,000 |
| 2 | South Dakota State University Brookings Public · Bachelor's degree | $67,791 | 71 | 62% | — | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in South Dakota
Top 2 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City Public | 111 | $69,667 |
| 2 | South Dakota State University Brookings Public | 71 | $67,791 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Top skills
What Mechanical Engineers earn in South Dakota
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Mechanical Engineering programs in South Dakota.
Which South Dakota colleges award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees?+
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (111 graduates a year) and South Dakota State University (71 graduates a year) award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees and certificates in South Dakota, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 2 South Dakota colleges offer Mechanical Engineering.
Which Mechanical Engineering program in South Dakota has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology tops the list at $69,667. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Mechanical Engineers earn in South Dakota?+
The average annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in South Dakota is $95,080 (median $88,380), across about 560 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Mechanical Engineering program?+
Mechanical Engineering is a dynamic field that focuses on the study of physical machines and mechanisms, emphasizing force and movement. This program is designed for students interested in applying principles of engineering physics,…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, science, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Mechanical Engineers?+
The national job outlook is about +9.1% growth with around 18,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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