Mitchell Technical College vs University of South Dakota
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Mitchell Technical College Mitchell, SD | University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Break-even | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | +56% | +98% |
| 10-year net gain | $17,537 | $85,821 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $49,883 | $62,385 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $44,032 | $47,584 |
| Average net price | $13,460 | $19,858 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $23,592 |
| Break-even | 6.4 yrs | 5.1 yrs |
| Graduation rate | — | 60% |
| Admission rate | — | 99% |
Mitchell Technical College
Break-even
+$17,537 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
University of South Dakota
Strong return
+$85,821 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.