Computer Systems Networking at Southeast Technical College

Sioux Falls, SD · Public · Associate Degree · Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications

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

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $46,959/yr, edging above the $39,678 national average for Computer Systems Networking — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

With a 40.0x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 23% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Computer Systems Networking career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $18,975 in median debt against $46,959 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #24 ranking among 92 Computer Systems Networking programs places Southeast Technical College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 29% earnings increase from $46,959 to $60,459 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

One registered apprenticeship pathway (It Project Manager with a median wage of $171,200/yr) connects to Computer Systems Networking careers, offering a paid training alternative to the classroom model.

66 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
57
Low End
66
Score
69
High End
Earnings $46,959/yr (18% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (32% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$634K
6.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
41.5x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
10 of 10
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
$18,975
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,459
29% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Computer Systems Networking graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Computer and information systems managers $171,200 +15.2% 47%
Computer and information research scientists $140,910 +19.7% 37%
Database architects $135,980 +8.7% 6%
Computer and information systems managers
$171,200
+15.2% growth 47% AI-proof
Computer and information research scientists
$140,910
+19.7% growth 37% AI-proof
Database architects
$135,980
+8.7% growth 6% AI-proof

View all 10 career paths with full salary data →

About Computer Systems Networking Careers

You’ll likely start your career with hands-on work as a network support specialist, spending your days in server rooms racking equipment, running ethernet cable, and using command-line tools to diagnose connectivity problems. With a few years of experience, you can advance into high-demand specializations. You might become an information security analyst—a rapidly growing field—using software to hunt for threats and configure firewalls. Or you could become a network architect, designing the blueprints for a company’s entire cloud infrastructure in AWS or Azure.

Read the full Computer Systems Networking career guide →

Compare & Explore

Computer Systems Networking Overview

Computer Systems Networking at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southeast Technical College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Southeast Technical College's Computer Systems Networking program score?
A score of 66/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Computer Systems Networking field.
Will AI affect Computer Systems Networking careers?
The 68% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
How many job openings are there for Computer Systems Networking graduates?
The career paths mapped to Computer Systems Networking have roughly 258,000 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →