Skip to main content
$7,650Tuition
2,164Students
51%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$46,709Earnings
#4 in South DakotaPublic2-yearData: 2023-24

Student Outcomes

Graduation Rate (6-year)
50.8%
Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
$46,709
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
11:1
Loan Repayment Rate
59.6%
Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
$127/mo

Earnings by Major

Top programs ranked by median earnings

Earnings and debt by program
Program Level Median Earnings Median Debt
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians. Associate $50,856
Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. Associate $49,683
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. Associate $43,798 $18,975
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). Associate $43,426
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. Associate $42,682 $12,400
Precision Metal Working. Certificate $39,729
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. Associate $39,369 $12,000
Criminal Justice and Corrections. Associate $38,289
Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services. Certificate $38,289
Health and Medical Administrative Services. Associate $37,478
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services. Associate $35,880
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. Certificate $34,485 $11,000
Business/Commerce, General. Associate $33,741 $18,750
Graphic Communications. Associate $30,119
Marketing. Associate $29,685 $12,000

Outcomes Overview

Southeast Technical College graduates enter the workforce with modest debt loads, carrying a median of $12,000 compared to national averages exceeding $30,000 for many programs. Monthly loan payments of $127 represent just 3.3% of typical graduate income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The college's 97.9% employment rate reflects strong demand for skilled technicians in healthcare, manufacturing, and trades throughout the upper Midwest. Graduates earn $43,241 in their first year, climbing to $50,646 by year five. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26 beats most four-year programs. With low debt, high employment rates, and steady wage growth in recession-resistant fields, Southeast Technical delivers a strong return on investment.