Career Training Path › South Dakota › Lake Area Technical College
Lake Area Technical College
Watertown, South Dakota · Public technical college · Training programs available:
Address: 1201 Arrow Avenue, Watertown, SD 57201 · Phone: (605) 882-5284 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Lake Area Technical College is a public trade school in Watertown, SD offering LPN, diesel mechanic, and auto mechanic programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Lake Area Technical College has a 73.1% completion rate, near the state average of 73.8%, with median graduate debt of $12,000 and median earnings of $45,473 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Lake Area Technical College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid can be used here, and 27.5% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $40,770 | $52,750 | $61,300 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $45,500 | $58,120 | $65,200 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $38,670 | $51,160 | $61,610 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,100 | $49,440 | $59,360 |
| Medical assistants | $35,980 | $41,870 | $45,870 |
| Dental assistants | $38,190 | $47,900 | $57,890 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $32,090 | $49,800 | $56,200 |
| Machinists | $39,280 | $50,890 | $58,750 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators | $47,260 | $59,500 | $63,460 |
| Construction laborers | $35,180 | $45,710 | $48,120 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $31,130 | $36,800 | $43,570 |
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | $51,160 | $75,750 | $83,080 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in South Dakota (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 89 | $41,649 | $40,821 | $12,000 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 78 | $35,901 | $37,856 | $9,500 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 34 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 28 | $18,226 | $21,508 | $12,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 27 | $41,649 | $40,821 | $12,000 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 22 | $32,677 | $37,088 | $12,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 21 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 20 | $31,150 | $33,993 | $12,000 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 20 | $32,684 | $31,314 | $5,500 |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 18 | $37,581 | $36,560 | $11,000 |
| Ground Transportation | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 14 | $32,677 | $37,088 | $12,000 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 13 | $41,649 | $40,821 | $12,000 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, under 300 hours | 12 | $35,901 | $37,856 | $9,500 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 9 | $37,581 | $36,560 | $11,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Ground Transportation | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | $45,852 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 4 | $32,677 | $37,088 | $12,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 4 | $41,649 | $40,821 | $12,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 2–4 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Lake Area Technical College is a public trade and career school located in Watertown, South Dakota. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here, and the college holds accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission along with additional program-specific accreditors for nursing, dental, occupational therapy, and physical therapy fields. The campus is best known for its LPN / LVN programs, diesel mechanic training, and auto mechanic programs, drawing from a broader catalog of 24 program families that also includes welding, medical assisting, cosmetology, CNC machining, and aviation mechanics.
Among the numbers reported for this campus: the completion rate is 73.1%, which sits near the state average of 73.8%. Graduates carry a median debt of $12,000, and median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $45,473. About 27.5% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 481 trade completers among an undergraduate enrollment of 1,812, and a locale described as a remote town, this campus may suit students seeking hands-on technical training in a smaller community setting, including adult learners and career changers, though program lengths are not detailed in the available data. Anyone considering enrollment should verify current accreditation status directly with the listed accreditors and review the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for the most current outcome figures before applying.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Lake Area Technical College offers 24 program families, with the top programs being LPN / LVN programs, diesel mechanic schools, and auto mechanic schools. Other offerings include welding, medical assisting, dental assisting, cosmetology, CNC machining, heavy equipment, construction trades, EMT training, and aviation mechanics.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited. Its accreditors include the Higher Learning Commission, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, and accreditation bodies for occupational and physical therapy programs.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used. About 27.5% of students at this campus receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate at this campus is 73.1%, which is near the state average of 73.8%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $12,000, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $45,473, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school directly at (605) 882-5284 or visit its website for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public school, which often means lower tuition for in-state residents compared to private for-profit institutions, though specific tuition figures are not reported here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the data provided; contact the school directly to confirm program duration for specific offerings.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and the program-specific accreditors listed, and check outcome data via the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?219143.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not specify program lengths or schedule flexibility, so fit for career changers cannot be confirmed from federal data alone; contact the school directly to discuss options.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements are not reported in the available data; contact the school directly to learn about certification or licensure tied to specific programs like LPN or diesel mechanic training.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Lake Area Technical College by phone at (605) 882-5284 or visit their website at https://www.lakeareatech.edu/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included in this listing; the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?219143 can be used to compare outcomes with other institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in South Dakota
- Hunkes Transfer South DakotaWatertown, SD
- Sisseton Wahpeton CollegeSisseton, SD · college
- Sisseton Wahpeton CollegeAgency Village, SD
- Timmons Transportation, LLCToronto, SD
- Southeast Technical CollegeSioux Falls, SD · 59% completion
- Mitchell Technical CollegeMitchell, SD · 76% completion
- Western Dakota Technical CollegeRapid City, SD · 54% completion
- Stewart SchoolSioux Falls, SD · 88% completion
See all trade and career schools in South Dakota or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.