Head-to-head · 2026
Dakota Wesleyan University vs Lake Area Technical College
Compare average net price ($19,735 at Dakota Wesleyan University; $15,979 at Lake Area Technical College), ROI score (6.81 vs 7.11), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($53,728 vs $45,473), and admissions context (73.4% at Dakota Wesleyan 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 Wesleyan University | Lake Area Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.81 | 7.11 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $19,735 | $15,979 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $78,940 | $63,916 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $33,790 | $6,718 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $33,790 | $6,718 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $53,728 ✓ | $45,473 |
| Acceptance rate | 73.4% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 48.3% | 73.1% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 75.1% | 81.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $12,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 670 | 1,812 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
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 Wesleyan University | Lake Area Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $15,251 | $11,193 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $15,750 | $12,971 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,927 | $14,129 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $19,048 | $18,118 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $22,416 | $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 Wesleyan University | Lake Area Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 17.4% | 2.5% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 3.5% | 2% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 3% | 2.3% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 0.4% | 3.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Lake Area Technical College reports the lower average net price by $3,756 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $15,024 difference over four years ($63,916 vs $78,940).
Dakota Wesleyan University reports $8,255 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($53,728 vs $45,473). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 75.1% at Dakota Wesleyan University and 81.3% at Lake Area Technical College. Median federal debt among completers is $27,000 vs $12,000, respectively.
4 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 Wesleyan 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 $19,735 at Dakota Wesleyan University. The annual difference of $3,756 adds up to about $15,024 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Dakota Wesleyan University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $53,728 vs $45,473 at Lake Area Technical College. The gap in the federal data is $8,255. 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.