Mitchell Technical College: $7,524 Tuition

$7,524Tuition

953Students

71%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$50,743Earnings

#1 in South DakotaPublic2-yearData: 2023-24

About Mitchell Technical College

Mitchell Technical College specializes in career-focused technical education that gets students job-ready fast. The school serves 953 students in rural South Dakota with hands-on training programs designed around employer needs. Two-thirds of students are men, reflecting the technical trades focus. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means personal attention in labs and workshops.

Students pay an average net price of $13,650 after aid, with tuition staying the same whether you're from South Dakota or elsewhere. Graduates earn a median of $50,743 ten years out, making the typical debt load of $12,000 very manageable. Monthly loan payments average just $127. The employment rate hits 97.1%, showing employers value Mitchell Tech training. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay only $9,796 net price, making technical careers accessible.

The school attracts mainly South Dakota residents, with 91.6% coming from in-state. Nearly half of students take federal loans, but the 71.43% loan repayment rate suggests graduates can handle their debt. About 30% receive Pell grants, indicating the school serves working-class students seeking practical skills. The 70.7% graduation rate reflects students focused on completing programs and entering the workforce.

Academics & Faculty

Mitchell Technical College builds careers through hands-on training in high-demand technical fields. The school specializes in programs like aviation maintenance, culinary arts, welding, and healthcare technology that prepare students for immediate employment. With a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, students get personalized attention in small lab settings and workshop environments. The 70.7% graduation rate reflects the focused nature of these intensive programs. Instructors bring real-world industry experience into classrooms equipped with current technology. Students spend significant time practicing skills they'll use on the job rather than studying theory. The curriculum emphasizes practical application over academic research. Most programs can be completed in two years or less, allowing students to enter the workforce quickly with marketable technical skills.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Full-Time Faculty: 90.1%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 70.7%
Median Earnings (10 years): $50,743

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication.	Associate	$55,964
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$51,169
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$50,856
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers.	Certificate	$49,667
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers.	Associate	$46,087
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$44,170
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$43,798
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management.	Associate	$39,729
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection.	Associate	$39,009
Agricultural Mechanization.	Associate	$38,289

View all 46 programs →

Campus Life

Mitchell Technical College sits in a town of 15,000 people, about 70 miles west of Sioux Falls. With 953 students spread across a compact campus, you'll recognize faces quickly. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means instructors know your name and track your progress in hands-on labs. Men make up 67% of students, reflecting the college's focus on trades like welding, automotive technology, and construction.

Winters here are serious business with temperatures dropping well below zero and snow lasting months. You'll need heavy coats, boots, and a car with good tires. Most students commute from the surrounding area since 92% are South Dakota residents. Weekends often mean heading to Sioux Falls for shopping and entertainment, or staying local for outdoor activities like hunting and fishing. The Mavericks compete in intramural sports, and students often gather for campus events or study groups. With a 97% employment rate after graduation, classmates frequently become professional connections in the region's growing technical industries.

Setting: Town-Remote
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1968

Campus Safety (2023)

2 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Fondling	1	1	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 9°–28°F
July Avg: 62°–86°F
Annual Precipitation: 71.2"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Mitchell Technical College draws students who want immediate career training without the cost and time of a four-year degree. Nearly all students come from South Dakota, reflecting the school's strong reputation for placing graduates in local technical jobs. The student body skews heavily male, which mirrors the college's focus on traditionally male-dominated fields like automotive technology, welding, and construction trades. About 30% receive Pell Grants, showing the school serves working-class families looking for affordable pathways to middle-class careers. Most students are white, typical for rural South Dakota institutions.

Men: 66.6%
Women: 33.4%
White: 89.5%
Black: 0.5%
Hispanic: 2.6%
Asian: 1.1%
In-State Students: 91.6%
Pell Grant Recipients: 29.8%

Location

Mitchell Technical College sits in Mitchell, South Dakota, roughly 70 miles west of Sioux Falls. The campus serves a town of about 15,000 people in the heart of agricultural South Dakota. Mitchell is famous for the Corn Palace, a unique building decorated entirely with corn murals that draws visitors from across the Midwest. The surrounding region features vast farmland and prairie landscapes typical of the Great Plains. With 91.60% of students coming from in-state, the college draws heavily from rural South Dakota communities. The town offers a quiet, close-knit atmosphere where students can focus on their technical training without big-city distractions. Students considering colleges in South Dakota may also compare Mitchell Technical College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Mitchell, South Dakota 57301

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $50,743
Median Earnings (5 years): $53,624
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $40,300
Loan Repayment Rate: 71.4%
Monthly Loan Payment: $127/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $12,000

Frequently Asked Questions

How competitive is admission to Mitchell Technical College?

Mitchell Technical College maintains an open admission policy for most programs, though some specialized technical programs may have prerequisites. With 953 students enrolled, the college focuses on serving South Dakota residents who make up 91.60% of the student body. The school emphasizes practical skills training over traditional academic selectivity.

What does Mitchell Technical College cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Mitchell Technical College is $13,650 annually. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $9,796 after aid, while those from higher-income families pay up to $15,920. With median debt of only $12,000 and monthly loan payments of $127, graduates avoid the crushing debt common at four-year schools.

What kind of academic experience does Mitchell Technical College offer?

Mitchell Technical College operates on a semester system with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensuring personalized attention. The college specializes in career-focused technical education with hands-on training programs designed for immediate workforce entry. Classes emphasize practical skills over theoretical knowledge, preparing students for high-demand technical careers.

How successful are Mitchell Technical College graduates in finding jobs?

Mitchell Technical College boasts an impressive 97.1% employment rate for graduates. The median earnings reach $50,743 within ten years of graduation, with many graduates earning strong wages immediately after completing their programs. The college's focus on in-demand technical skills helps explain why 71.43% of borrowers successfully repay their loans.

What is the campus culture like at Mitchell Technical College?

The campus has a predominantly male student body at 66.63%, reflecting the technical and trade focus of many programs. With 89.51% white students, the college serves a largely homogeneous population typical of rural South Dakota. The Mavericks athletic teams and tight-knit community of under 1,000 students create a collegial atmosphere focused on career preparation.

What makes Mitchell Technical College unique among technical schools?

Mitchell Technical College charges the same tuition rate of $7,524 for both in-state and out-of-state students, unusual for public institutions. Founded in 1968, the college has built a reputation for turning out job-ready graduates in under two years. The combination of low debt, high employment rates, and immediate earning potential makes it a standout option for students seeking practical career training.