Head-to-head · 2026
Lake Area Technical College vs South Dakota State University
Compare average net price ($15,979 at Lake Area Technical College; $19,841 at South Dakota State University), ROI score (7.11 vs 6.94), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($45,473 vs $55,070), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Lake Area Technical College; 98.3% at South Dakota 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 | South Dakota State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.11 ✓ | 6.94 |
| Avg net price | $15,979 ✓ | $19,841 |
| 4-year avg net price | $63,916 ✓ | $79,364 |
| In-state tuition | $6,718 | $9,299 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $6,718 | $12,809 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $45,473 | $55,070 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 98.3% |
| Graduation rate | 73.1% ✓ | 62.4% |
| Retention rate | 81.3% | 83.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $12,000 ✓ | $23,250 |
| Enrollment | 1,812 | 9,198 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1120 |
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 | South Dakota State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,193 ✓ | $14,266 |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,971 ✓ | $15,248 |
| Family income $48–75k | $14,129 ✓ | $18,073 |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,118 ✓ | $20,706 |
| Family income $110k+ | $18,230 ✓ | $21,886 |
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 | South Dakota State University |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2.5% | 15.4% |
| Agricultural Business and Management | 10.5% | 1.6% |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 3.4% | 0.3% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 2.3% | 0.7% |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | 1.5% | 1% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 1.5% | 0.9% |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 1.1% | 0.4% |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | 1.3% | 0.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Lake Area Technical College reports the lower average net price by $3,862 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $15,448 difference over four years ($63,916 vs $79,364).
South Dakota State University reports $9,597 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($55,070 vs $45,473). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 81.3% at Lake Area Technical College and 83.8% at South Dakota State University. Median federal debt among completers is $12,000 vs $23,250, respectively.
8 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
Lake Area Technical College vs South Dakota State University, 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 $19,841 at South Dakota State University. The annual difference of $3,862 adds up to about $15,448 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
South Dakota State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $55,070 vs $45,473 at Lake Area Technical College. The gap in the federal data is $9,597. 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.