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Established in 1968, Western Dakota Technical College stands as one of South Dakota's premier technical colleges. They aim to offer personalized career education that prepares graduates for fulfilling careers with bright futures. This focus has led to an astounding 99% placement rate among recent graduates. These graduates have enjoyed tremendous success finding employment, furthering their education, or joining the military thanks to the school’s emphasis on hands-on learning, simulation-based training, internships, and strong industry partnerships.


Overview of Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC)


Western Dakota Tech recognizes that education must equip its students to make immediate impacts in their chosen careers and communities, which is why they prioritize providing state-of-the-art facilities and technologies to enhance students' learning experience. Through hands-on learning, students graduate equipped with the practical knowledge and experience needed to excel in their chosen fields. From business and computers, construction and manufacturing, energy & environmental technologies, health sciences, legal & public services to transportation technologies; the wide variety of high-quality undergraduate degree programs equip graduates to meet the many demands of modern job markets.

General Information


School Type Public
Campus Setting Rural: Fringe
Campus Housing No
Student Faculty Ratio 13:1
Graduation Rate 41%
Year Founded 1968

Student Enrollment


Total Students1,324

Undergraduate
1,324
Graduate
0

Undergraduate Student

Male 503
503
Female 821
821

Graduate Student

Male 0
0
Female 0
0

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WDTC Acceptance Rate and Admissions


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ACCEPTANCEN/A

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Acceptance RateN/A

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Enrollment N/A

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Admissions
Application Fee N/A
High School GPA N/A
High School Rank N/A
High School Transcripts N/A
College Prep Courses N/A
Recommendations N/A
SAT/ACT N/A
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) N/A
Application Deadline N/A
Common Application Accepted N/A

WDTC Tuition Cost & Financial Aid


Before enrolling at Western Dakota Technical College, it's important to fully comprehend tuition costs and financial aid options available to you. Tuition charges at this college depend upon which program is chosen and how you attend; however, the aim is to make education accessible and affordable to all their students. For example, cost per credit is $255/credit if you attend on-campus and $305/credit if you attend online. The total tuition cost for full-time undergraduates in the 2023-24 academic year was estimated to be $8,008. Books and supplies were estimated at $1,000 and on-campus food and housing was $9,300. These costs are estimated and averaged, and costs can shift year-to-year, so you should still check with the school before applying based on these numbers.

Tuition costs are an integral component of higher education. However, financial aid options can help students manage these expenses more easily. Colleges provide scholarships, grants, and loans to eligible students as a means of reducing the tuition burden and making higher education more cost-effective. Western Dakota Tech's dedicated Financial Aid Office can offer invaluable resources and support when navigating the financial aid process. Contact them with your inquiries or for guidance. You’ll want to investigate all available financial aid options. Scholarships, grants, and loans may all make a difference when managing educational expenses.

Average net price Current Year
Net Price $15,936
Average Total Aid $5,071
Students Receiving Financial Aid 90%
Room & Board $11,200

Sticker Price


  • Tuition In-State - $8,274
  • Tuition Out-of-State - $8,274
  • Books and Supplies - $2,200
  • Room & Board - $11,200
  • Other - $2,350

Popular Academic Programs at WDTC


Western Dakota Technical College offers an impressive variety of academic programs designed to fit into various career pathways and interests. They offer associate undergraduate degree programs and <1-2 year certificates tailored to provide the knowledge and skills needed for success in today's industries. Their most popular offerings include Criminal Justice/Police Science, Registered Nursing, and Business Administration and Management. These programs combine classroom learning with hands-on experiences to ensure students are thoroughly prepared for their chosen professions.

Western Dakota Tech also recognizes the rising need for flexibility and convenience in education by offering 100% online learning options, as well as individual online courses. Students enrolled can complete coursework from anywhere with internet connectivity - this flexible learning format makes the perfect solution for individuals with busy schedules or other obligations. The online learning platform used by Western Dakota Tech offers students an engaging virtual classroom experience, providing access to course materials and discussions while meeting personal and professional commitments simultaneously. Students also can submit assignments electronically allowing them to pursue a degree while meeting personal obligations.

Student Population Total


Student Population 1,324

Undergraduate
1,324
Graduate
0
Evening Classes : No
Online Learning : Yes

Most Popular Programs & Majors

(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)


All Majors N/A

Outcome & Salary


Western Dakota Technical College graduates have seen great success in their chosen fields. Thanks to hands-on learning and industry partnerships, students leave this institution well prepared to enter the workforce. Many graduates secure employment directly related to their area of study shortly after completing their programs, attesting to the effectiveness of their education. For maximum transparency and accountability purposes, Western Dakota Technical College tracks job placement rates of its graduates regularly so they are market ready with fulfilling careers ahead. In recent years, 99% of graduates were placed in a career or advanced education shortly after gaining their diploma or certificate.

Graduates Salary
College Grads Early Career Salary $37,700
College Grads Average Salary $33,800
College Grads Mid Career Salary $55,800
Return on Investment (ROI)
10 Year Salary Earnings Potential $338,000
20 Year Salary Earnings Potential $896,000
Cost of Education (Net Price) 4 Year $63,744
10 Year Projected ROI $274,256
20 Year Projected ROI $832,256
No College Education Salary Comparison
National Average Salary $38,792
10 Year Projected Income $387,920
20 Year Projected Income $775,840

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