Head-to-head · 2026
Southeast Technical College vs University of South Dakota
Compare average net price ($17,400 at Southeast Technical College; $19,858 at University of South Dakota), ROI score (6.71 vs 6.54), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($46,709 vs $51,926), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Southeast Technical College; 98.8% at University of South Dakota) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Southeast Technical College | University of South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.71 ✓ | 6.54 |
| Avg net price | $17,400 ✓ | $19,858 |
| 4-year avg net price | $69,600 ✓ | $79,432 |
| In-state tuition | $7,650 | $9,432 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $7,650 | $12,942 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $46,709 | $51,926 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 98.8% |
| Graduation rate | 58.8% | 59.9% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 69.8% | 79.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | $12,000 ✓ | $23,592 |
| Enrollment | 2,310 | 5,439 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1125 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Southeast Technical College | University of South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $14,418 ✓ | $14,921 |
| Family income $30–48k | $15,221 ✓ | $15,942 |
| Family income $48–75k | $17,079 ✓ | $18,540 |
| Family income $75–110k | $19,425 ✓ | $21,202 |
| Family income $110k+ | $20,254 ✓ | $22,193 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Southeast Technical College | University of South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 5.9% | 7.6% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 6.4% | 1.2% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.6% | 3.8% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 1% | 4.4% |
| Marketing | 2.4% | 2% |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | 2.4% | 1.7% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 2.1% | 1.9% |
| Public Health | 3.1% | 0.9% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Southeast Technical College reports the lower average net price by $2,458 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $9,832 difference over four years ($69,600 vs $79,432).
University of South Dakota reports $5,217 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($51,926 vs $46,709). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 69.8% at Southeast Technical College and 79.3% at University of South Dakota. Median federal debt among completers is $12,000 vs $23,592, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Southeast Technical College vs University of South Dakota, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Southeast Technical College is cheaper — average net price $17,400 per year vs $19,858 at University of South Dakota. The annual difference of $2,458 adds up to about $9,832 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of South Dakota reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $51,926 vs $46,709 at Southeast Technical College. The gap in the federal data is $5,217. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.