Head-to-head · 2026
Lake Area Technical College vs Southeast Technical College
Compare average net price ($15,979 at Lake Area Technical College; $17,400 at Southeast Technical College), ROI score (7.11 vs 6.71), ten-year median earnings ($45,473 vs $46,709), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Lake Area Technical College; Open / not reported at Southeast Technical College) using federal College Scorecard data. Lake Area Technical College has a 3-1 metric-level edge. Lake Area Technical College leads on ROI, but the cost and earnings signals are split enough that this is not a one-metric decision.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | Lake Area Technical College | Southeast Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 7.11 ✓ | 6.71 |
| Avg net price | $15,979 ✓ | $17,400 |
| Median earnings (10y) | $45,473 | $46,709 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 73.1% ✓ | 58.8% |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| Enrollment | 1,812 | 2,310 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 3 | 1 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Southeast Technical College costs $1,421 more per year than Lake Area Technical College ($17,400 vs $15,979). Southeast Technical College graduates report $1,236 higher median earnings after ten years ($46,709 vs $45,473). On EduGradify's model that puts Lake Area Technical College ahead on projected ROI (7.11 vs 6.71, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Lake Area Technical College) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
Lake Area Technical College vs Southeast Technical College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Lake Area Technical College or Southeast Technical College the better value?
Lake Area Technical College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (7.11 vs 6.71), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Lake Area Technical College is cheaper — average net price $15,979 per year vs $17,400 at Southeast Technical College. The annual difference of $1,421 adds up to about $5,684 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Southeast Technical College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $46,709 vs $45,473 at Lake Area Technical College. The annual gap in the federal data is $1,236.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. Lake Area Technical College reports a C value grade; Southeast Technical College reports C.