Western Dakota Technical College Tuition & Completion (2026)
Western Dakota Technical College is a public community college in Rapid City, South Dakota, enrolling about 753 students. The college offers associate degrees, career certificates, and transfer pathways to four-year universities. Typical net price after grant aid is about $12,670 for students who receive it, compared with published tuition near $8,294. Student demographics in federal data include White (72.9%) and American Indian or Alaska Native (10.9%) among the largest enrollment groups.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $8,294
- 2024 Average Net Price: $12,670 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: N/A Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 753 67.6% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 54.19%
- Carnegie Classification: Associate's Colleges: High Vocational & Technical-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
- First-Generation Students: 37.5%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition decrease of 3.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 2.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 56.8%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,626
- Room & Board: $8,150 annual estimate
Western Dakota Technical College: what the data shows
Common questions about Western Dakota Technical College, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Western Dakota Technical College?
Western Dakota Technical College is located in Rapid City, SD (ZIP 57703-4018).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is Western Dakota Technical College public or private?
Western Dakota Technical College is a Public institution.
How much does Western Dakota Technical College cost?
Published tuition: $8,294.
Average net price after aid: $12,670.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $10,071 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $10,543 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $14,003 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $18,657 |
| $110,001+ | $18,845 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $33,176.
How big is Western Dakota Technical College?
Total enrollment: 753 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,626 students.
About 68% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Western Dakota Technical College?
150%-time completion rate: 54.19%.
First-year retention: 67.3%.
What do graduates of Western Dakota Technical College earn?
Median earnings: $36,971 six years after entry; $40,240 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $15,000.
33.14% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Western Dakota Technical College known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training (54 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (34 completions)
- Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (25 completions)
- Welding Technology/Welder (25 completions)
- Electrician (19 completions)
- Health Professions and Related Programs (15 completions)
- Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician (12 completions)
- Drafting and Design Technology/Technician, General (11 completions)
- Dental Assisting/Assistant (11 completions)
- Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician (9 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Western Dakota Technical College a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show completion rate 54.19%; median earnings $40,240 at 10 years; net price $12,670. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$8,294
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Western Dakota Technical College was $8,294.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$12,670
2024 Value
In 2024 Western Dakota Technical College had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $12,670.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$50,680 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$12,670 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$33,176 4-Year Tuition
$8,150 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$800 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$17,244 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$68,976 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Western Dakota Technical College.
Financial Aid by Income Level
33.14% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
41.45% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Western Dakota Technical College was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Western Dakota Technical College in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $5,840 | $5,840 | $11,309 |
| 2014 | $5,960 | $5,960 | $11,399 |
| 2015 | $6,200 | $6,200 | $13,504 |
| 2016 | $6,560 | $6,560 | $12,531 |
| 2017 | $7,360 | $7,360 | $14,016 |
| 2018 | $7,710 | $7,710 | $15,987 |
| 2019 | $8,254 | $8,254 | $14,388 |
| 2020 | $8,274 | $8,274 | $15,434 |
| 2021 | $8,332 | $8,332 | $14,788 |
| 2022 | $8,286 | $8,286 | $14,341 |
| 2023 | $8,008 | $8,008 | $14,631 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Western Dakota Technical College reported total enrollment of about 753 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 45% male and 55% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (72.9%), American Indian or Alaska Native (10.9%), and Hispanic or Latino (7.0%). About 33.14% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 37.5% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
67.6% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Western Dakota Technical College in 2024 is 753 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,626 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
67.3%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 72.9%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
52.90% 100% Completion Time
54.19% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 52.90% of students graduating from Western Dakota Technical College completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training: 7% male / 93% female
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 18% male / 82% female
- Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications: 88% male / 12% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Western Dakota Technical College.
Return on Investment
$15,000 Median Student Debt
$40,240 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
37.28% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
694.00% Return on Investment
3.7 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Western Dakota Technical College.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 37 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training: 54 completions
2. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 34 completions
3. Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications: 25 completions
4. Welding Technology/Welder: 25 completions
5. Electrician: 19 completions
6. Health Professions and Related Programs: 15 completions
7. Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician: 12 completions
8. Drafting and Design Technology/Technician, General: 11 completions
9. Dental Assisting/Assistant: 11 completions
Most popular programs at Western Dakota Technical College.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Western Dakota Technical College graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Western Dakota Technical College from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 56.8%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $6,826
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $8,552
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Western Dakota Technical College is a public institution located in Rapid City, SD, classified as Associate's Colleges: High Vocational & Technical-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. Enrollment is approximately 753 students. Student body composition includes White (72.9%), American Indian or Alaska Native (10.9%), Hispanic or Latino (7.0%). The 150%-time completion rate is 54.19%. Approximately 33.14% of students receive Pell Grants. About 37.5% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Associate's Colleges: High Vocational & Technical-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
Location
Rapid City, SD 57703-4018
Region: Plains
Insights and Analysis
Western Dakota Technical College provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Western Dakota Technical College located?
Western Dakota Technical College is located in Rapid City, SD.
How much does Western Dakota Technical College cost?
Reported tuition is $8,294 and average net price is $12,670 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $8,150 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Western Dakota Technical College?
Western Dakota Technical College reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,626 students, White (72.9%), American Indian or Alaska Native (10.9%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Western Dakota Technical College?
About 37.5% of students at Western Dakota Technical College are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Western Dakota Technical College earn?
Median earnings are $36,971 six years after entry and $40,240 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Western Dakota Technical College?
The 150%-time completion rate is 54.2% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Western Dakota Technical College students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $15,000.
Is Western Dakota Technical College public or private?
Western Dakota Technical College is a public institution located in Rapid City, SD.
Is Western Dakota Technical College an HBCU?
No. Western Dakota Technical College is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Western Dakota Technical College a tribal college?
No. Western Dakota Technical College is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is Western Dakota Technical College a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
Using a 25% Hispanic enrollment threshold on College Scorecard demographics, Western Dakota Technical College does not meet that proxy (reported share 7.0%).
Is Western Dakota Technical College religiously affiliated?
No religious affiliation is reported for Western Dakota Technical College in IPEDS institutional characteristics.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- South Dakota college profile
- South Dakota college costs
- South Dakota colleges by ROI
- South Dakota trade schools profile
- Rapid City, South Dakota city profile
- Plains regional profile
- Town college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in South Dakota
- South Dakota college costs
- South Dakota colleges by ROI
- South Dakota trade schools profile
- Rapid City, South Dakota city profile
- Plains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in South Dakota
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.