Western Dakota Technical College
Rapid City, South Dakota
Western Dakota Technical College is a public institution in Rapid City, South Dakota with 733 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 $8,008 compared with a South Dakota nursing-school average of $14,097. The school reports a graduation rate of 53.1%, median earnings of $40,240, and median federal debt of $15,000.
$8,008 is lower than the state average of $14,097.
53.1% is lower than the state average of 54.1%.
$40,240 is lower than the state average of $47,164.
About Western Dakota Technical College
| Location | Rapid City, South Dakota |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | associate |
| Website | www.wdt.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $8,008 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $8,008 |
| Total Enrollment | 733 |
| Acceptance Rate | N/A |
| Graduation Rate | 53.1% |
| Retention Rate | 66.9% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $40,240 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $15,000 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $159 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 27.9% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 35.0% |
| 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 0.4 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
27.9% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 35.0% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions 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 Western Dakota Technical College depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $32,032, while the reported median debt is $15,000 with an estimated monthly payment of $159. 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 (75.3%), followed by Hispanic students (6.1%) and Asian students (1.9%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($40,240) divided by median debt ($15,000)