Lake Area Technical College: Programs, Admissions, and Campus Life

Lake Area Technical College (Lake Area Tech or LATC), formerly Lake Area Technical Institute (LATI), stands as a public community college in Watertown, South Dakota. Founded in 1965, Lake Area Tech holds the distinction of being the first technical school established in South Dakota, paving the way for similar institutions in Mitchell, Sioux Falls, and Rapid City.

Overview of Lake Area Technical College

Lake Area Tech features more than 30 programs of study, including 12 degrees that are available entirely online, and serves more than 2,600 full-time, part-time, and online students. As a 2-year technical college, Lake Area Tech focuses on providing career-based education. The highest degree offered at Lake Area Technical College is an associate degree, and students can earn degrees and certificates in 31 different fields. Popular programs include: Agricultural Business and Management, General, Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician, and Marketing/Marketing Management, General.

Recognition and Expansion

In March 2017, Lake Area Tech was named the winner of the 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, following three previous Finalist-With-Distinction honors in 2011, 2013, and 2015. Due to the increasing number of students, the school completed a four-phase campus expansion project in 2013. The project included a new Diesel, Energy, and Welding facility, a new Automotive and Health Science Facility, a centralized Student Center, and a new Agriculture facility. To continue to manage the increase in student population, Lake Area Tech completed a flex space 'The Lab' in 2018 and has constructed a new facility on campus that houses all of the healthcare programs. The Ace A. Brandt Diesel Center was opened in Fall 2023, in dedication to Brandt, the founder of Brandt Holdings, who died of brain cancer in 2021. The school is anticipating a 10 year master campus plan aimed for 2035.

Academics at Lake Area Tech

The school utilizes a semester-based academic year. The student-faculty ratio is 17-to-1. Lake Area Tech has more than 30 programs of study, including 15 online degrees. The school has an open admissions policy and offers credit for life experiences. The school offers credit for life experiences, academic/career counseling service, and placement services for completers.

Degrees and Majors

Lake Area Tech offers a variety of programs. Students can earn degrees and certificates in 31 different fields. Popular programs include: Agricultural Business and Management, General, Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician, and Marketing/Marketing Management, General.

Read also: Enhancing Education in Lake County

Online Learning

12 degrees are available entirely online. Choose from on-campus or e-degree programs!

Admissions Information

The college has rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted any time throughout the year. Important Deadlines: Rolling Admissions.

Key Admission Statistics

Lake Area Technical College is a Not for Profit and Coed institution. The Level of Institution is 2 Year. The Campus Setting is Suburb or town. Transfer Students are Admitted.

Admission Requirements

Transcript is required. SAT Subject Tests: Yes. AP Course Credit: Yes. Dual Enrollment: Yes

Applying

Applying (Fall 2023) Total Entering Students: 1,200. The application fee is $25.

Read also: Office of Education Initiatives

Tuition, Cost & Aid

The tuition and fees for 2020-2021 were $6,718.

Affordability & Cost

In-state tuition and fees $6,718. Out-of-state tuition and fees $6,718. Books and supplies $1,490.

Tuition

In-State Tuition: $6,718. Out-of-State Tuition: $6,718.

Aid & Grants

At Lake Area Technical College, 66 percent of undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid and the average scholarship or grant award is $5,081. Average Net Price: $12,939.

Students Receiving Aid

Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students receiving state aid. Students receiving federal aid.

Grant Aid Amounts

Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year. Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year. Average State Grant Aid Per Year. Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants: $7,804,659. Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants: $2,549,841.

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans: Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents. Average Loan Amount Per Year. Average Debt at Graduation: The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans. Median Monthly Loan Payment: The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate. Students receiving federal loans. Average Federal Loans Per Year: $5,106. Average Other Loans Per Year: $11,710.

Campus Life

Lake Area Tech's campus covers 40 acres and serves an area of 18,000 square miles.

Student Activities

The LATI student activities committee plans several events throughout the year featuring dances and theme parties on campus as well as trips to the Twin Cities.

Campus Stats

Percent of First Generation Students: 29%. LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups: No. On Campus Women's Center: No. Cultural Student Resource Groups: No.

Housing

On-campus living required of freshman. Disability Housing Available.

Safety

24-HR security patrol: No. Campus emergency phones: No. 24-HR escort safety rides: No. Mobile campus emergency alert: No.

Campus Info and Services

Employment services for students: Yes. Credit for life experiences: Yes. Academic/career counseling service: Yes. Placement services for completers: Yes. On-campus day care for students' children: Yes.

Student Life (Fall 2022)

Ethnicity Distribution. American Indian or Alaska Native. Black or African American. Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. Gender Distribution. Age Distribution. Under 18%. 18-24%. 25-64%. Over 65%.

After Graduation

Average Salary 6 years after graduation. Average Debt at Graduation: The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans. Loan Default Rate. National: 8%. Median Monthly Loan Payment: The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.

tags: #Lake #Area #Technical #College #programs