Lake Area Technical College

Public two-year college in Watertown, SD that costs an average of $15,278 a year after financial aid and graduates 76% of full-time students.

Net price / year
$15,278
Acceptance rate
Open
Graduation rate
76%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$48,729

PublicTown (remote)1,812 undergraduates

Cost of Lake Area Technical College

Total cost of attendance (per year)$20,069
Tuition and fees, in-state$7,622
Books and supplies$1,200
Average net price after aid$15,278

Net price by family income

Family incomeAverage net price / year
$0–30,000$11,001
$30,001–48,000$11,433
$48,001–75,000$12,318
$75,001–110,000$17,183
$110,001+$18,104

Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships (in-state students). Get your own estimate with Lake Area Technical College's net price calculator ↗.

Admissions

Acceptance rateOpen admission (everyone admitted)

Graduation, earnings and debt

Graduation rate76%
First-year retention81%
Median earnings 6 years after enrolling$48,159
Median earnings 10 years after enrolling$48,729
Rank in South Dakota (earnings)3rd of 7 similar colleges
Median debt of graduates$11,000
Typical monthly loan payment$125 (10-year plan)
Students with Pell grants33%
Students with federal loans59%

Majors and programs at Lake Area Technical College

Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.

Certificate programs (14)

ProgramGraduates (2 yrs)Earnings after 1 yrMedian debt
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants184$47,904$11,000
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions38$38,826$5,500
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services63$24,262$7,855
Agricultural Business and Management———
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions18——
Computer Science———
Finance and Financial Management Services———
Ground Transportation32——
Human Services35—$5,500
Marketing———
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions60——
Natural Resources Conservation and Research9——
Precision Metal Working78—$5,500
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians41—$5,500

Associate's degree programs (22)

ProgramGraduates (2 yrs)Earnings after 1 yrMedian debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing93$74,559$12,657
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians45$65,038$12,000
Criminal Justice and Corrections32$57,120$12,000
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions11$56,901—
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians276$55,690$12,000
Precision Metal Working61$52,506$11,000
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions20$50,088—
Agricultural Business and Management191$49,340$12,000
Finance and Financial Management Services46$43,732$13,165
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection32$43,218—
Marketing128$41,641$12,000
Computer Science59$41,083$12,000
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services70$39,684$12,000
Human Services32$31,936$9,736
Air Transportation13——
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician33—$11,083
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions17——
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians34—$12,000
Ground Transportation19——
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians5——
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions3——
Natural Resources Conservation and Research8——

Similar colleges in South Dakota

CollegeCityNet price / yrAcceptanceEarnings
Southeast Technical CollegeSioux Falls$15,616—$51,280
Oglala Lakota CollegeKyle$1,431—$24,373
Mitchell Technical CollegeMitchell$9,749—$51,994
Western Dakota Technical CollegeRapid City$11,390—$46,591
Sinte Gleska UniversityMission$4,047—$27,113
Sisseton Wahpeton CollegeSisseton$3,110—$30,641

All colleges in South Dakota →

About Lake Area Technical College

TypePublic two-year college
LocationWatertown, SD
SettingTown (remote)
Undergraduates1,812
Student-to-faculty ratio16 to 1
AccreditorHigher Learning Commission
Websitelakeareatech.edu ↗

Frequently asked questions

How much does Lake Area Technical College cost per year?

The full cost of attendance is $20,069 a year (tuition and fees: $7,622). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $15,278 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $11,001.

How much do Lake Area Technical College graduates earn?

Former students earn a median of $48,729 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 3rd of 7 similar colleges in South Dakota.

What is Lake Area Technical College's graduation rate?

76% of full-time students graduate within 150% of the normal program length, and 81% of first-year students return for a second year.