Lake Area Technical College
Public in Watertown, SD. 13 certificate or associate programs in trades and allied health appear in the federal data, covering auto technician, welding, dental assisting, imaging & surgical tech and more.
Programs and outcomes
| Program | Credential | Completers/yr | 1-yr earnings | Median debt | Monthly payment* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 7 | $56,901 | – | – |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology | Associate degree | 133 | $55,690 | $12,000 | $136 |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 27 | $52,506 | $12,000 | $136 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 7 | $50,088 | – | – |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate | 90 | $47,904 | $15,271 | $174 |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 20 | $43,218 | – | – |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 40 | $39,684 | $12,000 | $136 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate | 20 | $38,826 | $5,500 | $63 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 28 | $24,262 | $8,250 | $94 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology | Certificate | 25 | not reported | $5,500 | $63 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate | 48 | not reported | $5,500 | $63 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 9 | not reported | – | – |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate | 12 | not reported | – | – |
*Scorecard's estimated monthly payment on the median debt over 10 years. “Not reported” means the Department suppressed or did not publish the figure.
How it compares
- Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services (certificate): graduates earned $24,262 one year out, 5% above the national median for cosmetology certificate programs ($23,061).
- Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection (associate degree): graduates earned $43,218 one year out, 18% below the national median for construction trades associate degree programs ($52,390).
- Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology (associate degree): graduates earned $55,690 one year out, 15% above the national median for auto technician associate degree programs ($48,236).
- Precision Metal Working (associate degree): graduates earned $52,506 one year out, 6% above the national median for welding associate degree programs ($49,506).
Compare schools near you
Use the data on this page to shortlist two or three schools, then contact them directly with the links provided. Ask each school the questions listed on the page.
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Nearby schools with trade and allied-health programs
- South Dakota State University (Brookings, SD), about 43 miles away
- Sisseton Wahpeton College (Sisseton, SD), about 46 miles away
Before you apply
- Auto Mechanic & Technician: Is the program manufacturer-sponsored or ASE-accredited?
- Welding & Metalworking: How many hours are spent in the weld booth versus the classroom?
- Dental Assisting & Hygiene Support: Does this program satisfy my state's dental board rules?
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study and Institution files (release dated 10/15/2026). Earnings are median annual earnings of completers working and not enrolled one year after finishing; debt is median federal loan debt of borrowers; both describe past cohorts and small programs are suppressed by the Department. School facts come from the Scorecard Institution file. See our methodology.