Head-to-head · 2026
Lake Area Technical College vs Northern State University
Compare average net price ($15,979 at Lake Area Technical College; $15,812 at Northern State University), ROI score (7.11 vs 7.53), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($45,473 vs $47,618), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Lake Area Technical College; 93% at Northern State University) 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 | Lake Area Technical College | Northern State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.11 | 7.53 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $15,979 | $15,812 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $63,916 | $63,248 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $6,718 | $8,845 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $6,718 | $11,947 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $45,473 | $47,618 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 93% |
| Graduation rate | 73.1% ✓ | 48.9% |
| Retention rate | 81.3% ✓ | 77% |
| Median debt | $12,000 ✓ | $22,320 |
| Enrollment | 1,812 | 1,273 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1089 |
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 | Lake Area Technical College | Northern State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,193 | $10,762 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,971 | $12,087 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $14,129 ✓ | $15,293 |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,118 ✓ | $18,372 |
| Family income $110k+ | $18,230 | $17,933 ✓ |
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 | Lake Area Technical College | Northern State University |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 3.5% | 5.7% |
| Marketing | 4.7% | 2% |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 3.4% | 1.5% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 2% | 2.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Northern State University reports the lower average net price by $167 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $668 difference over four years ($63,248 vs $63,916).
Northern State University reports $2,145 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($47,618 vs $45,473). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 81.3% at Lake Area Technical College and 77% at Northern State University. Median federal debt among completers is $12,000 vs $22,320, 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.
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Frequently asked
Lake Area Technical College vs Northern State University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Northern State University is cheaper — average net price $15,812 per year vs $15,979 at Lake Area Technical College. The annual difference of $167 adds up to about $668 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Northern State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $47,618 vs $45,473 at Lake Area Technical College. The gap in the federal data is $2,145. 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.