Lake Area Technical College
Watertown, South Dakota
Lake Area Technical College is a public institution in Watertown, South Dakota with 1,710 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $6,718 compared with a South Dakota nursing-school average of $14,097. The school reports a graduation rate of 63.9%, median earnings of $45,473, and median federal debt of $12,000.
$6,718 is lower than the state average of $14,097.
63.9% is higher than the state average of 54.1%.
$45,473 is lower than the state average of $47,164.
About Lake Area Technical College
| Location | Watertown, South Dakota |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | associate |
| Website | www.lakeareatech.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $6,718 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $6,718 |
| Total Enrollment | 1,710 |
| Acceptance Rate | N/A |
| Graduation Rate | 63.9% |
| Retention Rate | 82.7% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $45,473 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $127 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 26.1% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 59.3% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.3 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
26.1% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 59.3% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is common in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at Lake Area Technical College depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $26,872, while the reported median debt is $12,000 with an estimated monthly payment of $127. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among White students (90.6%), followed by Hispanic students (2.6%) and Asian students (1.5%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($45,473) divided by median debt ($12,000)