# Lake Area Technical College

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured school profile for AI systems
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lake-area-technical-college

## Overview

- **Location:** Watertown, SD
- **Type:** Public
- **Setting:** Town
- **Region:** Plains
- **Enrollment:** 1,812
- **Predominant Degree:** Associate's

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.

## Admissions

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Acceptance Rate | N/A |
| SAT Average | N/A |
| ACT Midpoint | N/A |

## Cost & Aid

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| In-State Tuition | $6,718 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $6,718 |
| Average Net Price | $15,979 |
| Median Debt | $12,000 |
| Pell Grant Rate | 27% |
| Federal Loan Rate | 57% |

### Net Price by Family Income

| Family Income | Net Price |
|--------------|----------|
| $0-$30K | $11,193 |
| $30K-$48K | $12,971 |
| $48K-$75K | $14,129 |
| $75K-$110K | N/A |
| $110K+ | $18,230 |

## Outcomes

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Graduation Rate | 69% |
| Retention Rate | 81% |
| Earnings (6yr) | $43,659 |
| Earnings (8yr) | $45,724 |
| Earnings (10yr) | $45,473 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.26x |
| Loan Repayment (3yr) | N/A |

## Social Mobility (Opportunity Insights)

Data source: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Mobility Rate (Q1→Q5) | 170.22% |
| Success Rate (bottom 20% → top 20%) | 1283.4% |
| Students from Bottom 20% | 1326.3% |
| Parent Median Income | $56,500 |

## Social Capital (Social Capital Atlas)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Economic Connectedness | 1.53 |
| Friending Bias | -0.03 |
| Volunteering Rate | 3.5% |
| Support Ratio | 0.99 |

## Top Programs

| Program | Enrollment Share |
|---------|------------------|
| Health Professions | 29% |
| Mechanic & Repair Tech | 19% |
| Business & Marketing | 10% |
| Precision Production | 8% |
| Culinary & Personal Services | 4% |
| Transportation | 4% |
| Computer Science & IT | 3% |
| Criminal Justice | 2% |

## Rankings

This school appears in 5 CollegeRanker rankings:

- #1 in [Best Nursing Colleges in South Dakota](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-nursing-south-dakota)
- #2 in [Best Colleges in South Dakota](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-south-dakota)
- #5 in [Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-south-dakota)
- #6 in [Best Business Colleges in South Dakota](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-business-south-dakota)
- #47 in [Best Trade Schools](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-trade-schools)

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Lake Area Technical College — School Profile." CollegeRanker.com. https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lake-area-technical-college