Lake Area Technical College
#1 Best Nursing Colleges in South Dakota- Graduation Rate
- 69% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $45,473 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $15,979 C
- Close to the national average
- Enrollment
- 1,812
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 14.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $14.9 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Nursing Colleges in South Dakota.
Every $1 spent returns $14.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $885,734.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $14.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Lake Area Technical College Matters
Lake Area Technical College is a public community college in Watertown, SD and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 1,812
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Mechanic & Repair Tech, Precision Production, Business & Marketing
Why students choose Lake Area Technical College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,979 a year after grants and scholarships — 7% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $45,473 ten years after enrolling — 12% above the typical college, against $12,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 39% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.53 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
At Lake Area Technical College, with around 1,812 students enrolled, you'll find a welcoming community that caters to those looking for practical, hands-on training. The college shines in areas like Health Professions, Mechanic and Repair Technology, Business and Marketing, Precision Production, and Culinary and Personal Services. This variety allows students to dive into fields that match their interests and career goals, making it a great fit for anyone eager to gain skills that lead directly to employment.
Looking at life after graduation, students can expect median earnings of about $45,473 ten years after they leave. That’s important because it reflects not just job placement but the potential for upward mobility in their chosen careers. While affordability is crucial, this institution does a good job at keeping costs manageable, with a net price of around $15,979 after aid. This means that many students can find pathways to success without accumulating overwhelming debt.
When it comes to financial realities, the average debt for graduates is about $12,000, which is relatively low compared to many other institutions. This is particularly beneficial for those who want to enter the workforce quickly and avoid the burden of high student loans. Typically, students who thrive here are those focused on gaining practical skills and are ready to jump into their careers, as well as those who appreciate a supportive environment.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Lake Area Technical College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lake Area Technical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Watertown, South Dakota, Lake Area Technical College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 69%.
- Retention Rate
- 81%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 79%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,792
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.22
- First-Gen Students
- 29%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lake Area Technical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lake Area Technical College is $6,718, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,979. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,193 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $12,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $6,718
- Out-of-State
- $6,718
- Avg Net Price
- $15,979
- Median Debt
- $12,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 27%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 57%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,193
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,971
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,129
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,230
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Lake Area Technical College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Lake Area Technical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lake Area Technical College earn a median of $45,473, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $43,659
- 8 Years
- $45,724
- 10 Years
- $45,473
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.26x
- Earning > $25K
- 65%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (426)
- 67%
- 100% (426)
- 67%
- 100% (426)
- 67%
- 100% (426)
- 67%
How Lake Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Lake Area Technical College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Lake Area Technical College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,979/year ($63,916 total). Graduates earn $45,473 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $949,650 in total earnings — a net gain of $885,734 (14.9× your investment). The median debt is $12,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 69% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $63,916
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $949,650
- Net Return
- $885,734
- ROI Multiple
- 14.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,979
- Median Debt
- $12,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 69%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Lake Area Technical College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lake Area Technical College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.70%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 13.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 12.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $56,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.70%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 12.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 13.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $76,764
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,099,183
- Investment Income
- $15,836
Top Programs
The fields Lake Area Technical College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 27% $44,068 early-career
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 20% $48,503 early-career
- Precision Production 10% $43,440 early-career
- Business & Marketing 9% $34,755 early-career
- Transportation 5% $54,481 early-career
- Culinary & Personal Services 4% $25,556 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 2% $48,963 early-career
- Construction Trades 2% $40,390 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Lake Area Technical College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lake Area Technical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Watertown, South Dakota, Lake Area Technical College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 69%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lake Area Technical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lake Area Technical College is $6,718, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,979. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,193 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $12,000 in federal student loans.
Is Lake Area Technical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lake Area Technical College earn a median of $45,473, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Lake Area Technical College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lake Area Technical College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.70%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 13.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 12.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $56,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Lake Area Technical College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lake Area Technical College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.53, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Lake Area Technical College.
- Northland Community and Technical CollegeThief River Falls, MN · Close peer52% grad $44,425 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Southeast Technical CollegeSioux Falls, SD · Close peer56% grad $46,709 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Alexandria Technical & Community CollegeAlexandria, MN · Close peer60% grad $49,393 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Central Lakes College-BrainerdBrainerd, MN · Close peer51% grad $42,162 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Lake Superior CollegeDuluth, MN · Close peer40% grad $46,449 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Minnesota North CollegeHibbing, MN · Close peer42% grad $45,570 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Lake Area Technical College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lake Area Technical College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.53, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note