South Dakota School of Mines & Technology graduates have some of the highest starting salaries in the Midwest and are among the best-paid in the nation, according to a recent report. According to the report, the starting median salary for School of Mines graduates is $55,800.

Seattle-based research firm Payscale said its study puts the School of Mines fifth among Midwestern universities in terms of starting median salary for graduates. The report also ranked the Mines 15th in the nation for Best Engineering Colleges by Salary Potential.

Last year, 218 employers from 26 states recruited School of Mines students. Graduates of the 2006-07 class have achieved 99 percent placement, and the 2008 class has achieved 85 percent placement less than three months after graduation, according to a school news release.

The report is available online at www.payscale.com/best-colleges