Business Administration, Management and Operations at Western Dakota Technical College

At $24,503 right out of graduation, this associate's degree starts at nearly $10,000 below the national median for business programs and trails the South Dakota state median by about $4,500. Even among the 11 South Dakota schools offering this program, Western Dakota ranks at just the 25th percentile—meaning three-quarters of comparable programs in-state deliver better starting outcomes. National American University across town, for instance, produces graduates earning $33,364, a nearly $9,000 advantage in year one.

The earnings do grow 33% by year four to $32,492, which helps close some of that gap. The $22,017 in median debt isn't outrageous—it's actually below South Dakota's state median—and the 0.90 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly what they'll earn in their first year. However, it's worth noting this data comes from a very small sample of graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly.

For parents considering in-state options, the numbers suggest looking elsewhere first. When a program ranks in the bottom quarter statewide and the bottom 5% nationally on earnings, that's meaningful information even with the data limitations. If Western Dakota Technical is under consideration for other compelling reasons—location, program structure, or specific career connections—understand you're likely accepting a financial tradeoff on the front end.