Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Lake Area Technical College

Lake Area Technical College's practical nursing program ranks 60th percentile among South Dakota nursing programs—meaning it outperforms most competitors in the state. At $42,160 first-year earnings, graduates earn about $3,700 more than the South Dakota median for this credential, though they're still trailing the national median by roughly $2,000. Only Western Dakota Technical does noticeably better in-state. The debt load of $17,600 matches the state median and stays manageable with a 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates earn their total debt back in roughly five months.

The modest earnings growth—just $2,000 over four years—reflects the reality that practical nursing credentials typically lead to established wage scales rather than dramatic career progression. You're essentially paying for stable employment at a known wage, not a trajectory toward much higher income. Nationally, this program sits at the 41st percentile, so while it's a solid choice within South Dakota, it's more middle-of-the-pack when compared to all practical nursing programs nationwide.

For families prioritizing staying in South Dakota, this represents a reasonable path to employment with debt you can actually handle. The program delivers what practical nursing typically offers: quick entry to stable work rather than exceptional earnings potential.