Overview
Lake Area Technical College was founded in 1965 in Watertown, South Dakota, to provide career-focused technical education aligned with regional workforce needs. Over the decades it has grown a strong reputation for high job placement rates, often cited among the best in the nation for technical colleges, particularly in fields like precision agriculture, energy technology, and health sciences. It has consistently ranked highly by national outlets such as Forbes and Newsweek among two-year technical institutions.
At a Glance
| Type | Public |
| Location | Watertown, South Dakota |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Total students | 2,400 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 16:1 |
| Acceptance rate | 100% |
| Graduation rate | 65% |
| Average starting salary | $45,000 |
Tuition & Costs (estimates)
| In-state tuition | $7,500 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $9,000 |
| Room & board | $7,000 |
| Average financial aid | $5,500 |
| Students receiving aid | 80% |
Admissions
| SAT range | N/A |
| ACT range | N/A |
| Average GPA | N/A |
| Regular deadline | Rolling |
Top Programs
- Precision Agriculture
- Energy Technology
- Nursing
- Welding Technology
- Diesel Technology
Figures are estimates for exploration — verify current costs, deadlines, and requirements on the university's official website.