University of South Dakota vs Southeast Technical College: which has better ROI?
University of South Dakota has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $79,432 in 22.3 years versus not at all at Southeast Technical College, on median earnings of $51,926 vs $46,709 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of South Dakota | Southeast Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,858 | $17,400 |
| Total net cost | $79,432 | $34,800 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,926 | $46,709 |
| Median debt | $23,592 | $12,000 |
| Payback | 22.3 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | -$8,112 | -$67,820 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of South Dakota or Southeast Technical College?
Southeast Technical College, at $17,400 a year after aid versus $19,858 — a gap of $2,458 a year, or $44,632 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of South Dakota or Southeast Technical College graduates earn more?
University of South Dakota graduates report a median $51,926 ten years after entry, $5,217 more than the $46,709 at Southeast 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, University of South Dakota or Southeast Technical College?
Southeast Technical College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $23,592 at University of South Dakota, a difference of $11,592. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
60% of students finish at University of South Dakota, against 59% at Southeast Technical College. 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.