South Dakota State University vs Mitchell Technical College: which has better ROI?
Mitchell Technical College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $26,920 in 11.3 years versus 11.8 years at South Dakota State University, on median earnings of $50,743 vs $55,070 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | South Dakota State University | Mitchell Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,841 | $13,460 |
| Total net cost | $79,364 | $26,920 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,070 | $50,743 |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $12,000 |
| Payback | 11.8 yrs | 11.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $54,836 | $20,740 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, South Dakota State University or Mitchell Technical College?
Mitchell Technical College, at $13,460 a year after aid versus $19,841 — a gap of $6,381 a year, or $52,444 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do South Dakota State University or Mitchell Technical College graduates earn more?
South Dakota State University graduates report a median $55,070 ten years after entry, $4,327 more than the $50,743 at Mitchell Technical College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, South Dakota State University or Mitchell Technical College?
Mitchell Technical College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $23,250 at South Dakota State University, a difference of $11,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
76% of students finish at Mitchell Technical College, against 62% at South Dakota State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.