Western Dakota Technical College
#1 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota- Graduation Rate
- 54% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $40,240 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $12,670 B-
- 26% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 753
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 17.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $17.5 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota.
Every $1 spent returns $17.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $833,915.
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 $17.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Western Dakota Technical College Matters
Western Dakota Technical College is a public community college in Rapid City, SD and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an above-average alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
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
- 753
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Precision Production, Mechanic & Repair Tech
Why students choose Western Dakota 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 $12,670 a year after grants and scholarships — 26% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $40,240 ten years after enrolling — 1% below the typical college, against $15,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 38% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.04 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 753 students, Western Dakota Technical College in Rapid City, SD, is a solid choice for those looking to dive into hands-on careers. It’s especially well-suited for individuals interested in fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Precision Production, Mechanic & Repair Tech, and Computer Science & IT. What stands out is the focus on practical skills that can lead directly to employment, which is increasingly important in today's job market.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $40,240 a year within ten years, highlighting the tangible benefits of the programs offered. While there isn't specific mobility data available, the earning potential suggests that graduates can find stable positions and potentially move up in their careers over time. The affordability of education here also plays a significant role, making it easier for students to invest in their futures without overwhelming financial burdens.
Looking at the financials, the net price after aid sits at $12,670, while the median debt for graduates is $15,000. This balance indicates that many students can graduate with manageable debt. Those who tend to thrive at Western Dakota Technical College are often those seeking practical degrees that lead directly into the workforce, ready to take advantage of the strong earning potential in their fields of study.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Western Dakota 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 Western Dakota Technical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Rapid City, South Dakota, Western Dakota Technical College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 54%.
- Retention Rate
- 67%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 57%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,826
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.46
- First-Gen Students
- 38%
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 Western Dakota Technical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Western Dakota Technical College is $8,294, 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 $12,670. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,071 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,294
- Out-of-State
- $8,294
- Avg Net Price
- $12,670
- Median Debt
- $15,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 33%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 41%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,071
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,543
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,003
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,845
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Western Dakota Technical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Western Dakota Technical College report median earnings of $40,240, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $36,971
- 8 Years
- $37,962
- 10 Years
- $40,240
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.37x
- Earning > $25K
- 55%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (60)
- 43%
- 100% (60)
- 43%
- 100% (60)
- 43%
- 100% (60)
- 43%
How Western 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 Western Dakota Technical College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Western Dakota Technical College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,670/year ($50,680 total). Graduates earn $40,240 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $884,595 in total earnings — a net gain of $833,915 (17.5× your investment). The median debt is $15,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 54% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $50,680
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $884,595
- Net Return
- $833,915
- ROI Multiple
- 17.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $12,670
- Median Debt
- $15,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
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 Western Dakota Technical College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Western Dakota 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 1.72%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.9% 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 11.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $54,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.72%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 11.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 14.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $54,700
Top Programs
The fields Western Dakota Technical College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 46%
- Business & Marketing 11%
- Precision Production 10%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 8%
- Computer Science & IT 8%
- Construction Trades 7%
- Criminal Justice 3%
- Culinary & Personal Services 1%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Western Dakota 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 Western Dakota Technical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Rapid City, South Dakota, Western Dakota Technical College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 54%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Western Dakota Technical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Western Dakota Technical College is $8,294, 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 $12,670. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,071 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,000 in federal student loans.
Is Western Dakota Technical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Western Dakota Technical College report median earnings of $40,240, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Western Dakota Technical College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Western Dakota 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 1.72%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.9% 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 11.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $54,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Western Dakota Technical College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Western Dakota Technical College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.04, 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 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Western Dakota Technical College.
- Northwest Technical CollegeBemidji, MN · Close peer50% grad $42,930 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Ellsworth Community CollegeIowa Falls, IA · Close peer40% grad $40,562 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Great Falls College Montana State UniversityGreat Falls, MT · Close peer33% grad $38,034 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Southwestern Community CollegeCreston, IA · Close peer56% grad $40,129 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Allen County Community CollegeIola, KS · Close peer38% grad $40,059 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- North Central Missouri CollegeTrenton, MO · Close peer57% grad $40,837 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Western Dakota Technical College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Western Dakota Technical College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.04, 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 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note