At $14,631/yr net price, Western Dakota Technical College graduates earn $40,240/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,240/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,631 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $58,524 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,240/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,240/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 9.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 53.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $15,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,321/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,375/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,398/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,725/yr |
| $110,001+ | $19,914/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $39,909 | $15,176 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $36,134 | $12,000 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $36,042 | $12,720 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $33,993 | $15,750 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Associate | $31,848 | $12,000 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $30,409 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $29,685 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $26,850 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $26,353 |
The Risk Factor
53.1% of students at Western Dakota Technical College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Western Dakota Technical College gives you a modest but reliable return. You pay about $14,600 a year and carry a $15,000 median debt at graduation, which is roughly one year of the median $40,240 you earn a decade out. That debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, and the 53% graduation rate means finishing is a real risk you should plan around.
The programs that pay off here are hands-on and tied to the Rapid City regional job market. Allied Health Diagnostic tops the list near $39,900, and its debt runs slightly higher than the rest at $15,176. Precision Metal Working and Practical Nursing both land around $36,000 while keeping debt near $12,000, so your return per dollar borrowed is stronger in those trades than in the allied health track.
Criminal Justice and Corrections sits at the bottom of the top five at about $34,000 with the highest debt in the group, $15,750. If your goal is the best payoff relative to what you borrow, the metalworking and nursing paths beat it. Electrical and Power Transmission earns less on paper but keeps debt at $12,000, so it holds up.
Your biggest financial risk is picking a program without a clear local employer and then not finishing. All the strong earners here are associate degrees or certificates in fields with direct hiring pipelines. There is no bachelor's data, so treat this as a two-year, get-to-work investment, not a stepping stone with guaranteed transfer value.
The net price tiers are unusual: you pay less if your family earns over $110k than if you earn $75-110k. If your family income is under $30k, your price drops to about $11,300, the best deal here. This school fits you if you want a trade or health credential and a job in the Black Hills area. Look elsewhere if you need a bachelor's degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Western Dakota Technical College worth the cost?
With a net price of $14,631 per year and median debt of only $15,000, Western Dakota Technical College offers reasonable value for technical education. However, 10-year earnings average just $40,240, which means you'll need to choose your program carefully to see strong returns.
Which Western Dakota Technical College programs have the best ROI?
Allied health programs at Western Dakota Technical College offer the strongest returns, with graduates earning nearly $40,000 annually. Precision metalworking and nursing programs also perform well, while criminal justice and electrical programs show weaker earning potential relative to the investment.
What are the graduation rates at Western Dakota Technical College?
Western Dakota Technical College has a 53% graduation rate, meaning nearly half of students don't complete their programs. This completion rate is concerning and increases the risk that you won't finish your degree.
How much debt do Western Dakota Technical College graduates have?
The median debt at Western Dakota Technical College is $15,000, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. With starting salaries around $40,000 in the best programs, graduates can typically handle this debt load if they complete their programs.