Lake Area Technical College is a public community college located in Watertown, SD. It offers 42 programs for degree/certificate. (Of that, the distance learning opportunity (online degrees/courses) is given to 4 programs).

It is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.

The 2025 tuition & fees of Lake Area Technical College is $6,718 for South Dakota residents and $6,718 for out-of-state students. Its tuition & fees is cheaper than that of South Dakota public community colleges' average ($7,547).

The school has 2,312 students, which is higher than South Dakota community collleges' average (1,055). In addition, 471 students have enrolled online exclusively. The students to faculty ratio is 16 to 1, which is higher than the average ratio (11 to 1) of South Dakota community colleges.

2025 Tuition & Fees

The following table shows the 2024-2025 tuition & fees, books & supplies, and living costs at Lake Area Technical College. Then, we compare its costs to South Dakota community colleges and all U.S. community colleges.

In addition, the chart shows tuition trends over the last 5 years. You can check more comprehensive tuition information on the cost of attendance page.

2025 Cost Of Attendance - LATI
South Dakota ResidentsOut-of-State
Tuition & Fees$6,718$6,718
Books & Supplies$1,200
Off-Campus Living Costs$12,750
Average Financial Aid$6,767
Cost of Attendance$20,668$20,668
After Financial Aid$13,901$13,901
LATI Tuition Comparison to National and State Average
South Dakota ResidentsOut-of-State Students
Lake Area Technical College$6,718$6,718
Public Community Colleges in South Dakota$7,547$7,547
Public Community Colleges in U.S.$5,207$8,749

Offered Degrees/Programs By Area of Study

Lake Area Technical College offers Certificate and Associate's programs. The following table summarizes the number of offered programs by degree types.

Offered Programs and Online Availability
CertificateAssociate'sBachelor's
Online Programs31NOT OFFERED
Total Programs1428NOT OFFERED

The following tables list each major program along with offered degrees and online availability. The number in each column indicates the number of awarded degrees and/or certificates of the program. It includes completers through on-campus classes, partially online classes, and only online classes.

What is Natural Resources and Conservation program?
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Agricultural Business and ManagementNOT OFFERED 111 completers
 NOT OFFERED
What is Computer and Information Sciences program?
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Environmental Science2 completers
 2 completers
 NOT OFFERED
What is Personal and Culinary Services program?
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Computer ScienceNOT OFFERED 18 completers
 NOT OFFERED
What is Engineering Technology program?
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Cosmetology/Cosmetologist35 completers
 NOT OFFERED NOT OFFERED
What is Human Services program?
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Criminal Justice/Police ScienceNOT OFFERED 12 completers
 NOT OFFERED
What is Construction Trades program?
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Human Services16 completers
 NOT OFFERED NOT OFFERED
What is Mechanics and Repairers program?
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Building Construction TechnologyNOT OFFERED 15 completers
 NOT OFFERED
What is Precision Production Trades program?
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician18 completers
 6 completers
 NOT OFFERED
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/TechnicianNOT OFFERED 25 completers
 NOT OFFERED
Diesel Mechanics Technology/TechnicianNOT OFFERED 100 completers
 NOT OFFERED
Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician3 completers
 7 completers
 NOT OFFERED
What is Transportation and Materials Moving program?
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Machine Tool Technology/MachinistNOT OFFERED 14 completers
 NOT OFFERED
Welding Technology/Welder33 completers
 21 completers
 NOT OFFERED
What is Business program?
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Dental Assisting/Assistant21 completers
 12 completers
 NOT OFFERED
Medical/Clinical AssistantNOT OFFERED 3 completers
 NOT OFFERED
Occupational Therapist AssistantNOT OFFERED 11 completers
 NOT OFFERED
Physical Therapy Technician/AssistantNOT OFFERED 17 completers
 NOT OFFERED
Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)7 completers
 7 completers
 NOT OFFERED
Surgical Technology/TechnologistNOT OFFERED 8 completers
 NOT OFFERED
Clinical/Medical Laboratory TechnicianNOT OFFERED 11 completers
 NOT OFFERED
Community Health Services/Liaison/CounselingNOT OFFERED NOT OFFERED NOT OFFERED
Registered Nursing/Registered NurseNOT OFFERED 51 completers
 NOT OFFERED
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training51 completers
 NOT OFFERED NOT OFFERED
What is Business program?
CertificateAssociateBachelor
Banking and Financial Support ServicesNOT OFFERED 3 completers
 NOT OFFERED
Marketing/Marketing ManagementNOT OFFERED 48 completers
 NOT OFFERED

Student Population

There are 2,312 students at Lake Area Technical College including both full-time and part-time students. By gender, 1,133 male students and 1,046 female students are attending the school.

The following table shows the total number of students by gender and attending status at the school. You can check more enrollment information of the school.

Student Population
TotalFull-TimePart-time
Total2,1791,399780
Male Students1,133860273
Female Students1,046539507

Distance Learning (Online Degree/Program) Enrollment

Of the 2,312 total students, 1,094 students enrolled through distance learning (471 students enrolled exclusively and 623 enrolled in some online courses).

Distance Learning Enrollment Distribution
Total Enrollment2,312
Enrolled Exclusively in Online Courses471
Enrolled in Some But Not All Online Courses623
Not Enrolled In Any Online Courses1,218

School Profile and Academic Overview

The following table shows directory information and summarizes important academic and admission characteristics for Lake Area Technical College.

Directory Information and Key Academic Statistics
Type2-4 year, public
Address1201 Arrow Avenue, Watertown, SD
Phone605-882-5284
Tuition & Fees (2024-2025) »In-State$6,718
Out-of-State$6,718
Student Population »2,312 Total Enrollment
Graduation Rate »73%
Transfer-out Rate5%
Retention Rate81% (Full-time)
78% (Part-time)
Average Financial Aid »$6,767
Students to Faculty16:1 (6.25%)