Head-to-head · 2026
Oglala Lakota College vs Western Dakota Technical College
Compare average net price ($1,895 at Oglala Lakota College; $12,670 at Western Dakota Technical College), ROI score (29.71 vs 7.94), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($22,517 vs $40,240), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Oglala Lakota College; Open / not reported at Western Dakota 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 | Oglala Lakota College | Western Dakota Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 29.71 ✓ | 7.94 |
| Avg net price | $1,895 ✓ | $12,670 |
| 4-year avg net price | $7,580 ✓ | $50,680 |
| In-state tuition | $2,684 | $8,294 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $2,684 | $8,294 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $22,517 | $40,240 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 8.7% | 54.2% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 62.1% | 67.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | — | $15,000 |
| Enrollment | 1,097 | 753 |
| Ownership | Public | 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 | Oglala Lakota College | Western Dakota Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $1,422 ✓ | $10,071 |
| Family income $30–48k | $219 ✓ | $10,543 |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,542 ✓ | $14,003 |
| Family income $75–110k | $6,535 ✓ | $18,657 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $18,845 |
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 | Oglala Lakota College | Western Dakota Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 21.2% | 2.7% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 5.5% | 5.3% |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 0.6% | 7.2% |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | 1.8% | 2.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Oglala Lakota College reports the lower average net price by $10,775 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $43,100 difference over four years ($7,580 vs $50,680).
Western Dakota Technical College reports $17,723 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($40,240 vs $22,517). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 62.1% at Oglala Lakota College and 67.3% at Western Dakota Technical College. Debt data is incomplete for at least one school, so it is not used as a deciding signal here.
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
Oglala Lakota College vs Western Dakota Technical College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Oglala Lakota College is cheaper — average net price $1,895 per year vs $12,670 at Western Dakota Technical College. The annual difference of $10,775 adds up to about $43,100 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Western Dakota Technical College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $40,240 vs $22,517 at Oglala Lakota College. The gap in the federal data is $17,723. 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.