Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology at Southeast Technical College

A debt load around $12,000 for a technical associate's degree represents a manageable starting point, particularly when peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings in the mid-$40,000s. That ratio—roughly three months of pre-tax income to cover the full debt—falls well within reasonable territory for a two-year technical credential. Similar electrical maintenance programs across the country typically produce graduates who can handle this debt burden without financial strain.

The challenge here is that both the earnings and debt figures come from peer institutions rather than Southeast Technical's actual graduates, so you're operating with less certainty than ideal. National data shows considerable variation in this field—the top quarter of programs push first-year earnings above $53,000, while others fall short of the median. Where Southeast Technical lands within that range remains unclear given the limited sample size that triggered data suppression.

South Dakota's small market for this program (only two schools statewide offer it) cuts both ways. Limited supply could mean steady demand for trained technicians, but it also means fewer data points to assess program quality. For a parent weighing this decision, the estimated debt-to-earnings picture looks sound on paper, but you'll need to dig into Southeast Technical's employer relationships and job placement rates directly to confirm whether their specific graduates match these national benchmarks.