Lake Area Technical College
Watertown, South Dakota · Public · 1,812 undergraduates
Of 20 programs with reported earnings, 18 leave graduates out-earning a typical South Dakota high-school graduate (about $36,976/yr) and 2 fall short. Another 17 programs did not have enough data to judge.
What families actually pay
| Family income | Net price per year |
|---|---|
| Under $30k | $11,193 |
| $30k to $48k | $12,971 |
| $48k to $75k | $14,129 |
| $75k to $110k | $18,118 |
| $110k and up | $18,230 |
| All families (average) | $15,979 |
Net price is the yearly cost after grants and scholarships, by family income (College Scorecard). Credit: TuitionTracker.
Program earnings vs a high-school graduate
| Program | Credential | Median earnings | vs HS grad | Verdict | Median debt | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate's Degree | $60,763 | +$23,787 | clears the bar | $12,000 | 0.5 yrs |
| Agricultural Business and Management | Associate's Degree | $48,305 | +$11,329 | clears the bar | $12,000 | 1.1 yrs |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $56,633 | +$19,657 | clears the bar | $9,500 | 0.5 yrs |
| Precision Metal Working | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $49,693 | +$12,717 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate's Degree | $43,574 | +$6,598 | clears the bar | $12,000 | 1.8 yrs |
| Marketing | Associate's Degree | $43,632 | +$6,656 | clears the bar | $12,000 | 1.8 yrs |
| Computer Science | Associate's Degree | $60,752 | +$23,776 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $35,222 | -$1,754 | falls short | $12,000 | n/a |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate's Degree | $51,201 | +$14,225 | clears the bar | $11,000 | 0.8 yrs |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | Associate's Degree | $47,420 | +$10,444 | clears the bar | $12,000 | 1.1 yrs |
| Human Services, General | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $34,188 | -$2,788 | falls short | n/a | n/a |
| Human Services, General | Associate's Degree | $37,135 | +$159 | clears the bar | $11,273 | 70.9 yrs |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $38,313 | +$1,337 | clears the bar | $5,500 | 4.1 yrs |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $50,334 | +$13,358 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate's Degree | $66,233 | +$29,257 | clears the bar | $18,707 | 0.6 yrs |
Showing the 15 largest programs by graduates. See all 20 on the full profile.
Access and outcomes: 28% of students receive Pell grants · 73% complete their program.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10). Earnings are median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing, compared to the state high-school-graduate earnings threshold. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Something look wrong? Report it.