Human Services at Lake Area Technical College

Lake Area Technical's Human Services program keeps debt remarkably low at $12,000—less than half the national median—but the earnings ceiling is concerning. At just under $27,000 in the first year, graduates earn about $4,000 less than the national median and roughly $4,000 below South Dakota's state median. More troubling: earnings show no growth, actually dipping slightly to $26,500 by year four, placing this program in the bottom quarter nationally for earnings outcomes.

Within South Dakota, the contrast is stark. Mitchell Technical's human services graduates earn $35,000—about $8,500 more annually than Lake Area grads. While Lake Area matches the state's typical debt level for this field, it underperforms on the earnings side, ranking at the 40th percentile statewide. That translates to thousands of dollars in lost income over the course of a career.

The low debt does make this program manageable—graduates would only need to dedicate about half their annual salary to clear their loans. But for families focused on maximizing earning potential in the human services field, Mitchell Technical offers substantially better outcomes for what appears to be similar debt levels. Lake Area works if staying in Watertown is essential, but the income difference deserves serious consideration.