Head-to-head · 2026
Dakota State University vs Lake Area Technical College
Compare average net price ($21,057 at Dakota State University; $15,979 at Lake Area Technical College), ROI score (6.05 vs 7.11), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($50,970 vs $45,473), and admissions context (88.1% at Dakota State University; Open / not reported at Lake Area Technical College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Dakota State University | Lake Area Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.05 | 7.11 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $21,057 | $15,979 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $84,228 | $63,916 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $9,654 | $6,718 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $12,756 | $6,718 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $50,970 ✓ | $45,473 |
| Acceptance rate | 88.1% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 51.3% | 73.1% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 75.5% | 81.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | $23,500 | $12,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,071 | 1,812 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1215 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Dakota State University | Lake Area Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $17,317 | $11,193 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $18,792 | $12,971 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $19,165 | $14,129 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $22,601 | $18,118 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $23,269 | $18,230 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Dakota State University | Lake Area Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing | 0.9% | 4.7% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 0.3% | 3.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Lake Area Technical College reports the lower average net price by $5,078 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $20,312 difference over four years ($63,916 vs $84,228).
Dakota State University reports $5,497 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($50,970 vs $45,473). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 75.5% at Dakota State University and 81.3% at Lake Area Technical College. Median federal debt among completers is $23,500 vs $12,000, respectively.
2 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Dakota State University vs Lake Area Technical College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Lake Area Technical College is cheaper — average net price $15,979 per year vs $21,057 at Dakota State University. The annual difference of $5,078 adds up to about $20,312 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Dakota State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $50,970 vs $45,473 at Lake Area Technical College. The gap in the federal data is $5,497. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.