Business at Southeast Technical College

Sioux Falls, SD · Public · Associate Degree · Business/Commerce, General

a compact campus enrolling 2,164 students in Sioux Falls, SD.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $37,383/yr, roughly in line with the $36,982 national median for Business. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 29.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 16% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $18,750 against $37,383/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #91 ranking among 130 Business programs places Southeast Technical College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 20% earnings increase from $37,383 to $44,994 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 8 apprenticeship pathways connected to Business reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

68 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
68
Score
70
High End
Earnings $37,383/yr (1% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (54% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$465K
4.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
30.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
16 of 16
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$15,300
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,750
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,994
20% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Business graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Chief executives $206,420 +4.3% 44%
Sales managers $138,060 +4.7% 55%
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
Chief executives
$206,420
+4.3% growth 44% AI-proof
Sales managers
$138,060
+4.7% growth 55% AI-proof
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof

View all 16 career paths with full salary data →

Business Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Business — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Southeast Technical College and 129 other schools.

Read the full Business career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Overview

Business at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southeast Technical College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 68/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Business at Southeast Technical College?
At 68/100, the score looks reasonable — but Business is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Business at Southeast Technical College?
Our scenarios model 46% of Business tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Southeast Technical College's 68/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Can I learn Business through an apprenticeship instead of Southeast Technical College?
Yes — 8 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Business career paths, including Health Information Management Business Analyst. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Southeast Technical College.
Will Business graduates from Southeast Technical College find jobs?
The very large job market (832,900 annual openings) works in favor of Business graduates. The national outlook is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →