At $14,826/yr net price, Lake Area Technical College graduates earn $45,473/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,473/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,826 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $59,304 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,473/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,473/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 63.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,281/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,773/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,034/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,925/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,310/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | Associate | $66,915 | $12,000 |
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $52,107 | $12,000 |
| Ground Transportation. | Associate | $45,852 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $40,821 | $12,000 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $37,856 | $9,500 |
| Agricultural Business and Management. | Associate | $37,291 | $12,000 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $37,088 | $12,000 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $36,560 | $11,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Associate | $35,416 | |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection. | Associate | $33,993 | $12,000 |
The Risk Factor
63.9% of students at Lake Area Technical College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 36% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Lake Area Technical College gives you a strong return for a two-year public school. You graduate with a median debt of $12,000 and a 63.9% completion rate, which is solid for a technical college where students often leave for jobs before finishing. The debt load is low enough that median earnings a decade out cover it several times over.
The payoff depends heavily on which program you pick. Construction Engineering Technologies is the clear winner here, with graduates earning more than the electromechanical program by roughly $15,000 a year on the same $12,000 debt. Electromechanical instrumentation and ground transportation also land above the school's median. Vehicle maintenance and practical nursing sit at the bottom, and both leave you closer to the $40,000 line. Nursing carries the lowest debt of the group at $9,500, which softens its weaker earnings.
Every program listed here is an associate degree or certificate in a hands-on trade. That is the specific risk: your earnings are tied to demand for construction, industrial maintenance, trucking, and auto work in and around Watertown and the broader region. If those industries slow, the higher-paying tracks lose their edge. There is no bachelor's data here, so don't expect this to be a stepping stone to a four-year salary on its own.
This school fits you if you want a specific trade, a fast entry into work, and low debt. Pick construction or electromechanical if earnings are your priority. Look elsewhere if you want a desk career or a degree that transfers into a bachelor's path.
On price, the tiers matter. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $10,281 a year. over $110,000, closer to $17,310. That $7,000 gap is real money over two years, but even the top tier stays affordable relative to the earnings most programs deliver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Area Technical College worth the money?
Lake Area Technical College offers solid value with a low net price of $14,826 and median debt of only $12,000. Graduates earn $45,473 after 10 years, which provides reasonable returns given the low cost and debt burden.
What are the highest paying programs at Lake Area Technical College?
Construction Engineering Technologies leads with $66,915 in earnings, followed by Electromechanical Instrumentation at $52,107. These technical programs significantly outperform the school average and justify the investment.
How much debt do Lake Area Technical College graduates have?
Graduates typically leave with $12,000 in debt, which is manageable compared to most colleges. This low debt load makes even the lower-paying programs like nursing ($37,856) financially viable.
What is the graduation rate at Lake Area Technical College?
The graduation rate is 63.9%, meaning about one in three students don't complete their programs. This completion risk should factor into your decision, especially for longer programs.