Accounting at Southeast Technical College

Southeast Technical College's accounting graduates earn $44,850 in their first year—more than $7,000 above the national median and roughly $4,400 above South Dakota's median for this degree. That 94th percentile national ranking is impressive, though the 60th percentile state ranking tells you other South Dakota programs aren't far behind. With debt at $23,746 (matching the state median but below the national average), new graduates need to dedicate about half their first year's salary to loan repayment if they follow standard 10-year plans—manageable for an entry-level accounting position.

The caveat here is sample size: fewer than 30 graduates reported data, so these numbers could shift significantly year to year. A few high or low earners dramatically affect averages in small cohorts. Still, the fundamentals look solid. Accounting offers stable career progression, and starting at nearly $45,000 in South Dakota's lower cost-of-living market provides breathing room that might not exist in more expensive states.

For parents weighing this program, the key question is consistency. If Southeast Technical can sustain these outcomes, it's delivering strong value—particularly for students who plan to work locally where these salaries go further. Just recognize you're betting on a small program's track record, not a large dataset.