Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection (Associate's Degree) at Southeast Technical College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$44,380

Est. from national median (12 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$10,866

Est. from national median (5 programs)

Analysis

Construction management programs typically lead to solid middle-class wages, and while Southeast Technical's outcomes aren't reported due to small class sizes, peer programs nationally suggest starting pay around $44,380 with manageable debt near $10,866. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24 falls well within the reasonable range for a two-year technical degree—you're looking at debt less than a quarter of first-year income.

The challenge here is South Dakota's construction market. Similar programs at Lake Area and Mitchell Technical—both with actual reported data—show graduates earning $37,000-$39,000, which is $6,000 below the national figure used for this estimate. If Southeast's graduates follow the state pattern rather than the national one, you're still looking at manageable debt, but the local market may not support the stronger earnings seen elsewhere. Construction wages vary significantly by region, and South Dakota simply pays less than states with booming metro areas.

For a student planning to stay in South Dakota, expect earnings closer to the mid-to-high $30,000s rather than the mid-$40,000s. That's still a viable path into the trades with low debt, but temper expectations about first-year income. If your child is willing to relocate after graduation, the stronger national market could justify the investment more clearly.

Where Southeast Technical College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all building/construction finishing, management, and inspection associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in South Dakota

Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection associates's programs at peer institutions in South Dakota (3 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Southeast Technical CollegeSioux Falls	$7,650	$44,380*	—	$10,866*	—
Lake Area Technical CollegeWatertown	$6,718	$38,635*	—	$12,000*	0.31
Mitchell Technical CollegeMitchell	$7,524	$37,485*	$40,701	$10,866*	0.29
National Median	—	$44,380*	—	$11,433*	0.26

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with building/construction finishing, management, and inspection graduates

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction and Building Inspectors

Inspect structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and other regulations. Inspections may be general in nature or may be limited to a specific area, such as electrical systems or plumbing.

$72,120/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Energy Auditors

Conduct energy audits of buildings, building systems, or process systems. May also conduct investment grade audits of buildings or systems.

$72,120/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

$64,200/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Structural Iron and Steel Workers

Raise, place, and unite iron or steel girders, columns, and other structural members to form completed structures or structural frameworks. May erect metal storage tanks and assemble prefabricated metal buildings.

$61,940/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers

Apply plasterboard or other wallboard to ceilings or interior walls of buildings. Apply or mount acoustical tiles or blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing materials to ceilings and walls of buildings to reduce or reflect sound. Materials may be of decorative quality. Includes lathers who fasten wooden, metal, or rockboard lath to walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings to provide support base for plaster, fireproofing, or acoustical material.

$58,800/yrJobs growth:No formal educational credential

Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers

Smooth and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as floors, walks, sidewalks, roads, or curbs using a variety of hand and power tools. Align forms for sidewalks, curbs, or gutters; patch voids; and use saws to cut expansion joints.

$56,600/yrJobs growth:

Terrazzo Workers and Finishers

Apply a mixture of cement, sand, pigment, or marble chips to floors, stairways, and cabinet fixtures to fashion durable and decorative surfaces.

$56,600/yrJobs growth:

Glaziers

Install glass in windows, skylights, store fronts, and display cases, or on surfaces, such as building fronts, interior walls, ceilings, and tabletops.

$55,440/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Carpet Installers

Lay and install carpet from rolls or blocks on floors. Install padding and trim flooring materials.

$52,000/yrJobs growth:No formal educational credential

Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles

Apply blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing, sound-deadening, or decorative coverings to floors.

$52,000/yrJobs growth:No formal educational credential

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Southeast Technical College, approximately 32% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 12 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.