Is Lake Area Technical College worth it?
Lake Area Technical College is a public, two-year institution in Watertown, South Dakota (small town). It awarded 832 degrees and certificates in 2024, most often in licensed practical nurse training, diesel mechanics technology and agricultural business and management.
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Federal data
Federal context for Lake Area Technical College
Published by the federal government for federally aided students. It does not say which employers hire graduates.
Median earnings 1 year after
$42,193
Median earnings 4 years after
$49,488
Median earnings 10 years after
$45,473
Average net price
$15,979
Completion rate
73%
Completions (2024)
832
Years to pay back
1.3 years
Students (undergrad)
1,812
Median earnings after completing, by program
| Program | Credential | Median earnings, 1yr | Median earnings, 4yr | Graduates counted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate | $47,080 | $60,763 | 169 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | Associate | $41,340 | $48,305 | 128 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate | $35,932 | $43,574 | 60 |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate | $43,436 | $51,201 | 56 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Undergraduate certificate | $42,160 | $56,633 | 52 |
| Marketing | Associate | $32,043 | $43,632 | 50 |
| Human Services, General | Associate | $26,730 | $37,135 | 45 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Undergraduate certificate | $36,631 | $38,313 | 33 |
| Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians | Associate | $60,085 | $69,953 | 30 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | Associate | $40,070 | $47,420 | 30 |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate | $38,635 | $47,946 | 28 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | Associate | $41,230 | $52,822 | 23 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $66,233 | N/A | 21 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Undergraduate certificate | $20,420 | $35,222 | 20 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | Associate | $75,253 | $72,225 | 20 |
Source: College Scorecard, June 2026 release, and IPEDS. Earnings cover federally aided students only, so they do not cover every graduate.
Awards conferred, by program
| Program | Award level | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Associate | 92 |
| Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training | Certificate 1-2 yrs | 89 |
| Agricultural Business and Management, General | Associate | 87 |
| Marketing/Marketing Management, General | Associate | 64 |
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | Associate | 47 |
| Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General | Certificate 1-2 yrs | 35 |
| Welding Technology/Welder | Certificate 1-2 yrs | 30 |
| Computer Science | Associate | 28 |
| Welding Technology/Welder | Associate | 25 |
| Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling | Certificate 12 weeks to 1 yr | 25 |
Federal view: Census PSEO, most recent federal cohort, one year after completion
| Industry | Share of graduates | Graduates counted |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 29% | 2,524 |
| Manufacturing | 15% | 1,327 |
| Wholesale Trade | 13% | 1,092 |
| Retail Trade | 11% | 908 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 7% | 562 |
| Construction | 6% | 515 |
| Finance and Insurance | 4% | 352 |
| Public Administration | 2% | 195 |
Similar schools
Other public two year schools in South Dakota
Same state, same sector, nearest by completions.
Southeast Technical College
Sioux Falls, SD
59%
completion rate
1,006
completions
Graduate data being added
See the pageMitchell Technical College
Mitchell, SD
76%
completion rate
522
completions
Graduate data being added
See the pageWestern Dakota Technical College
Rapid City, SD
54%
completion rate
327
completions
Graduate data being added
See the pageFor school staff
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Sources: federal figures for Lake Area Technical College. Federal figures from College Scorecard and IPEDS. Occupation pay from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS for South Dakota. Counts under 10 are not published.
Updated September 18, 2026 · Methodology · Report a problem with this page