Head-to-head · 2026
Lake Area Technical College vs University of South Dakota
Compare average net price ($15,979 at Lake Area Technical College; $19,858 at University of South Dakota), ROI score (7.11 vs 6.54), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($45,473 vs $51,926), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Lake Area Technical College; 98.8% at University of South Dakota) 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 | University of South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.11 ✓ | 6.54 |
| Avg net price | $15,979 ✓ | $19,858 |
| 4-year avg net price | $63,916 ✓ | $79,432 |
| In-state tuition | $6,718 | $9,432 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $6,718 | $12,942 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $45,473 | $51,926 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 98.8% |
| Graduation rate | 73.1% ✓ | 59.9% |
| Retention rate | 81.3% ✓ | 79.3% |
| Median debt | $12,000 ✓ | $23,592 |
| Enrollment | 1,812 | 5,439 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1125 |
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 | University of South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,193 ✓ | $14,921 |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,971 ✓ | $15,942 |
| Family income $48–75k | $14,129 ✓ | $18,540 |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,118 ✓ | $21,202 |
| Family income $110k+ | $18,230 ✓ | $22,193 |
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 | University of South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 3.4% | 7.7% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2.5% | 7.6% |
| Human Services, General | 6.2% | 1.3% |
| Marketing | 4.7% | 2% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 3.5% | 2.1% |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | 3.7% | 1.7% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 2% | 1.9% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 2.3% | 1.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Lake Area Technical College reports the lower average net price by $3,879 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $15,516 difference over four years ($63,916 vs $79,432).
University of South Dakota reports $6,453 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($51,926 vs $45,473). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 81.3% at Lake Area Technical College and 79.3% at University of South Dakota. Median federal debt among completers is $12,000 vs $23,592, 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
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Lake Area Technical College vs University of South Dakota, 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 $19,858 at University of South Dakota. The annual difference of $3,879 adds up to about $15,516 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of South Dakota reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $51,926 vs $45,473 at Lake Area Technical College. The gap in the federal data is $6,453. 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.