Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Western Dakota Technical College

Western Dakota Technical College's networking program graduates start at $40,418—roughly $3,000 below both the national and South Dakota medians for this degree. With only two schools offering this program in-state, the comparison is straightforward: Southeast Technical College's graduates earn nearly $6,500 more right out of the gate. That's a meaningful gap when you're looking at entry-level technical positions where every dollar counts toward building financial stability.

The debt picture is reasonable at $20,049, producing a 0.50 ratio that suggests graduates can realistically manage payments on a typical IT salary. However, the small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing significantly from year to year. A few graduates taking higher-paying jobs in Sioux Falls or leaving South Dakota entirely could dramatically shift the median.

For families committed to staying in Rapid City, this program offers a local pathway into networking careers without crushing debt. But if your student has the flexibility to attend Southeast Technical in Sioux Falls instead, the earnings premium there appears substantial enough to warrant the extra logistics. Given the volatility of small cohorts, treat these numbers as a directional signal rather than a guarantee—and verify current job placement rates directly with the school.