Criminal Justice and Corrections at Southeast Technical College

Southeast Technical's criminal justice program launches graduates at $49,560—nearly $8,400 above the state median and $16,300 above the national benchmark for this degree. That early earning power, combined with just $12,000 in typical debt, creates one of the stronger financial profiles you'll find in this field. While the program ranks at the 60th percentile statewide, that's actually impressive when you consider South Dakota's criminal justice programs cluster tightly in the $27,000-$41,000 range—this program sits firmly at the top of that pack.

The earnings decline to $45,243 by year four deserves attention, though it's less alarming than it appears. Criminal justice careers often see earnings fluctuate with overtime availability, shift differentials, and employment sector changes in those early years. Even at the four-year mark, graduates still earn $4,000 more than the state median and substantially outpace the national average. The debt burden remains manageable throughout—less than 30% of first-year earnings.

One important caveat: this data comes from a small graduating class, so individual circumstances vary more than usual. That said, the combination of strong starting pay, minimal debt, and earnings that remain competitive even after some decline suggests this program delivers solid value for students committed to law enforcement or corrections careers in the region.