Head-to-head · 2026
Southeast Technical College vs Western Dakota Technical College
Compare average net price ($17,400 at Southeast Technical College; $12,670 at Western Dakota Technical College), ROI score (6.71 vs 7.94), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($46,709 vs $40,240), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Southeast Technical College; Open / not reported at Western Dakota Technical College) 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 | Western Dakota Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.71 | 7.94 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $17,400 | $12,670 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $69,600 | $50,680 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $7,650 | $8,294 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $7,650 | $8,294 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $46,709 ✓ | $40,240 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 58.8% ✓ | 54.2% |
| Retention rate | 69.8% ✓ | 67.3% |
| Median debt | $12,000 ✓ | $15,000 |
| Enrollment | 2,310 | 753 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
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 | Western Dakota Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $14,418 | $10,071 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $15,221 | $10,543 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $17,079 | $14,003 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $19,425 | $18,657 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $20,254 | $18,845 ✓ |
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 | Western Dakota Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 10.5% | 13.8% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.6% | 8.8% |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 4.4% | 7.2% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 5.9% | 5.3% |
| Precision Metal Working | 1.8% | 8.2% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 6.4% | 3.5% |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | 3% | 6.1% |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | 5.1% | 3.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Western Dakota Technical College reports the lower average net price by $4,730 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $18,920 difference over four years ($50,680 vs $69,600).
Southeast Technical College reports $6,469 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($46,709 vs $40,240). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 69.8% at Southeast Technical College and 67.3% at Western Dakota Technical College. Median federal debt among completers is $12,000 vs $15,000, 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
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Southeast Technical College vs Western Dakota Technical College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Western Dakota Technical College is cheaper — average net price $12,670 per year vs $17,400 at Southeast Technical College. The annual difference of $4,730 adds up to about $18,920 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Southeast Technical College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $46,709 vs $40,240 at Western Dakota Technical College. The gap in the federal data is $6,469. 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.