Lake Area Technical College
Watertown, SD · Highest award: Associate's
Read the years, not just the numbers
Each figure below is labelled with the period it covers, because they are not all from the same year. Tuition is Academic year 2024-25, while the earnings figure describes students who entered Entering cohort AY2009-10 / 2010-11, measured in 2022 dollars. They are historical facts about this institution, not a quote for you.
What it actually costs
Net price is what students paid after grant and scholarship aid — usually far below the sticker price.
Average net price by family income
Academic year 2023-24
| $0–30,000 | 11,193 | |
|---|---|---|
| $30,001–48,000 | 12,971 | |
| $48,001–75,000 | 14,129 | |
| $75,001–110,000 | 18,118 | |
| $110,001+ | 18,230 |
Figures are U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard data for Academic year 2023-24, published by the U.S. federal government. They are historical reference values, not a quote, and not an offer. Your actual cost will depend on your own circumstances.
Outcomes
Historical results for students who attended. They do not predict your own.
Compared with a high-school graduate
Students here earned a median of $45,473 ten years after entering, against a national benchmark for high-school graduates of $36,082. That benchmark is 2023 ACS 5-year pooled, 2024 dollars.
Admissions and size
Many institutions do not report these — “Not reported” is not a zero.
Student body
Fall 2024
| White | 88% | |
|---|---|---|
| Hispanic | 3% | |
| Black | 2% | |
| Asian | 1% | |
| Two or more races | 0% | |
| Nonresident / international | 0% |
Other Two-year institutions in SD
| Institution | Net price | Grad rate | Earnings (10 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Technical College | $13,460 | Not reported | $50,743 |
| Sanford Medical Center | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Southeast Technical College | $17,400 | Not reported | $46,709 |
| Western Dakota Technical College | $12,670 | Not reported | $40,240 |
Earnings by field of study
Four years after graduation, by programme. Compare each against the national median for that field.
| Programme | Median earnings (4 yr) | National median | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician. | $72,225 | $71,367 | $12,000 |
| Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians. | $69,953 | $73,046 | $13,125 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians. | $60,763 | $58,424 | $12,000 |
| Computer Science. | $60,752 | $62,283 | $12,458 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | $56,633 | $56,073 | $17,600 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $52,822 | $46,706 | $12,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | $51,402 | $57,472 | Not reported |
| Precision Metal Working. | $51,201 | $56,451 | $11,001 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians. | $50,334 | $51,586 | Not reported |
| Precision Metal Working. | $49,693 | $48,702 | Not reported |
| Agricultural Business and Management. | $48,305 | $47,825 | $12,000 |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection. | $47,946 | $59,378 | $12,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | $47,420 | $51,913 | $17,374 |
| Marketing. | $43,632 | $44,264 | $14,250 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | $43,574 | $42,269 | $14,510 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | $38,313 | $33,673 | $8,250 |
| Human Services, General. | $37,135 | $39,422 | $12,000 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. | $35,222 | $26,307 | $12,000 |
| Human Services, General. | $34,188 | $36,390 | Not reported |
| Ground Transportation. | Not reported | $59,881 | Not reported |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10) — https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/ · Data last updated 2026-06-10