Head-to-head · 2026
University of South Dakota vs Western Dakota Technical College
Compare average net price ($19,858 at University of South Dakota; $12,670 at Western Dakota Technical College), ROI score (6.54 vs 7.94), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($51,926 vs $40,240), and admissions context (98.8% at University of South Dakota; 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 | University of South Dakota | Western Dakota Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.54 | 7.94 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $19,858 | $12,670 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $79,432 | $50,680 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $9,432 | $8,294 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $12,942 | $8,294 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $51,926 ✓ | $40,240 |
| Acceptance rate | 98.8% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 59.9% ✓ | 54.2% |
| Retention rate | 79.3% ✓ | 67.3% |
| Median debt | $23,592 | $15,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 5,439 | 753 |
| 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 | University of South Dakota | Western Dakota Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $14,921 | $10,071 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $15,942 | $10,543 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $18,540 | $14,003 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $21,202 | $18,657 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $22,193 | $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 | University of South Dakota | Western Dakota Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 7.6% | 5.3% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.8% | 8.8% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 7.4% | 2.7% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 4.4% | 2.7% |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | 0.4% | 6.4% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 1.9% | 4.8% |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | 1.7% | 3.2% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 1.2% | 3.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Western Dakota Technical College reports the lower average net price by $7,188 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $28,752 difference over four years ($50,680 vs $79,432).
University of South Dakota reports $11,686 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($51,926 vs $40,240). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 79.3% at University of South Dakota and 67.3% at Western Dakota Technical College. Median federal debt among completers is $23,592 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
University of South Dakota 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 $19,858 at University of South Dakota. The annual difference of $7,188 adds up to about $28,752 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 $40,240 at Western Dakota Technical College. The gap in the federal data is $11,686. 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.