Head-to-head · 2026
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology vs Southeast Technical College
Compare average net price ($20,183 at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology; $17,400 at Southeast Technical College), ROI score (8.95 vs 6.71), ten-year median earnings ($72,257 vs $46,709), and admissions context (79.9% at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology; Open / not reported at Southeast Technical College) using federal College Scorecard data. Southeast Technical College has a narrow 3-2 metric-level edge. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 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 | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | Southeast Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 8.95 ✓ | 6.71 |
| Avg net price | $20,183 | $17,400 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $72,257 ✓ | $46,709 |
| Acceptance rate | 79.9% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 53% | 58.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $12,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,071 | 2,310 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1245 | — |
| Metric advantages | 2 | 3 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology costs $2,783 more per year than Southeast Technical College ($20,183 vs $17,400). South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates report $25,548 higher median earnings after ten years ($72,257 vs $46,709). On EduGradify's model that puts South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ahead on projected ROI (8.95 vs 6.71, exceptional investment).
The pricier option (South Dakota School of Mines and Technology) still wins on return, because stronger graduate salaries outweigh its higher net price. On admissions, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology reports 79.9% acceptance; Southeast Technical College does not report a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data.
Frequently asked
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology vs Southeast Technical College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology or Southeast Technical College the better value?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has the higher EduGradify ROI score (8.95 vs 6.71), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Southeast Technical College is cheaper — average net price $17,400 per year vs $20,183 at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. The annual difference of $2,783 adds up to about $11,132 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $72,257 vs $46,709 at Southeast Technical College. The annual gap in the federal data is $25,548.
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. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology reports a B value grade; Southeast Technical College reports C.