Top 50 Best Certificate Programs in South Dakota by ROI

Every Certificate program in South Dakota ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment across all majors. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Programs in South Dakota

Colleges with salary data

Average 20-Yr Net ROI

-$183,980

Across all South Dakota programs

Average Annual Cost

$20,800

Cost of attendance

#	College	Major	20-Yr Net ROI	Median Salary	Annual Cost	Avg Debt
1	Mitchell Technical College Grad rate: 70.8%	Electrical and Power Transmission Installers.	+$384,514	$62,409	$16,241	$5,500	Full ROI →
2	Mitchell Technical College Grad rate: 70.8%	Construction Trades, Other.	+$306,979	$58,161	$16,241	N/A	Full ROI →
3	Southeast Technical College Grad rate: 54.7%	Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other.	+$250,901	$56,608	$20,880	$15,095	Full ROI →
4	Southeast Technical College Grad rate: 54.7%	Precision Metal Working.	-$44,720	$40,808	$20,880	N/A	Full ROI →
5	Southeast Technical College Grad rate: 54.7%	Health and Medical Administrative Services.	-$96,480	$38,220	$20,880	N/A	Full ROI →
6	Lake Area Technical College Grad rate: 67.0%	Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	-$108,759	$38,662	$18,239	$17,600	Full ROI →
7	Western Dakota Technical College Grad rate: 52.9%	Precision Metal Working.	-$158,543	$35,733	$20,885	$9,125	Full ROI →
8	Southeast Technical College Grad rate: 54.7%	Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	-$163,721	$36,008	$20,880	$17,038	Full ROI →
9	Lake Area Technical College Grad rate: 67.0%	Dental Support Services and Allied Professions.	-$165,036	$35,217	$18,239	$8,250	Full ROI →
10	Southeast Technical College Grad rate: 54.7%	Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services.	-$179,380	$34,075	$20,880	N/A	Full ROI →
11	Western Dakota Technical College Grad rate: 52.9%	Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	-$179,940	$35,431	$20,885	$20,500	Full ROI →
12	Western Dakota Technical College Grad rate: 52.9%	Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	-$236,281	$31,998	$20,885	$11,375	Full ROI →
13	Southeast Technical College Grad rate: 54.7%	Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions.	-$294,600	$28,314	$20,880	N/A	Full ROI →
14	Western Dakota Technical College Grad rate: 52.9%	Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions.	-$330,675	$27,253	$20,885	$11,000	Full ROI →
15	National American University-Rapid City Grad rate: 23.1%	Health and Medical Administrative Services.	-$353,985	$27,662	$29,232	$28,143	Full ROI →
16	Stewart School Grad rate: 80.6%	Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.	-$367,220	$25,138	$18,015	$8,863	Full ROI →
17	The Salon Professional Academy Grad rate: 70.3%	Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.	-$439,429	$21,857	$19,694	$12,500	Full ROI →
18	Lake Area Technical College Grad rate: 67.0%	Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.	-$469,319	$20,256	$18,239	$12,000	Full ROI →
19	Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City Grad rate: 70.9%	Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.	-$504,911	$18,845	$26,528	$11,321	Full ROI →
20	Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City Grad rate: 70.9%	Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services.	-$528,995	$17,411	$26,528	$7,917	Full ROI →

How ROI is calculated

20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.