Analysis
South Dakota's automotive programs cluster tightly around $45,000 in first-year earnings, and Oglala Lakota College appears positioned right in that middle ground based on comparable programs. The estimated $12,000 in debt translates to a manageable 0.27 debt-to-earnings ratio—you're looking at roughly three months of gross pay to cover the educational investment, which is favorable for a skilled trade credential.
What matters here is the context: nearly half of students receive Pell grants, suggesting this program serves a population where affordable technical training can meaningfully shift economic trajectories. Automotive technicians in South Dakota earn solid middle-class wages straight out of school, and the debt load won't become an anchor. However, these figures are drawn from peer programs across the state, not tracked graduates from Oglala Lakota specifically, so there's inherent uncertainty about how this particular program performs.
The practical question is whether your student can land in that $44,000-$47,000 range that dominates South Dakota's technical colleges. If they're mechanically inclined and committed to staying in the region where these jobs exist, a two-year automotive degree with minimal debt makes sense. Just recognize you're betting on a program without its own performance record—the strongest nearby alternatives have actual outcomes showing graduates clearing $46,000 or more.
Where Oglala Lakota College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all vehicle maintenance and repair technologies associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in South Dakota
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies associates's programs at peer institutions in South Dakota (5 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Oglala Lakota CollegeKyle | $2,684 | $45,147* | — | $12,000* | — |
 Lake Area Technical CollegeWatertown | $6,718 | $47,080* | $48,024 | $12,000* | 0.25 |
 Southeast Technical CollegeSioux Falls | $7,650 | $46,262* | $49,942 | $12,000* | 0.26 |
 Mitchell Technical CollegeMitchell | $7,524 | $44,032* | $41,215 | —* | — |
 Western Dakota Technical CollegeRapid City | $8,008 | $38,031* | — | $15,125* | 0.40 |
| National Median | — | $42,896* | — | $12,000* | 0.28 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with vehicle maintenance and repair technologies graduates
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Avionics Technicians
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment
Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
Automotive Body and Related Repairers
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians
Motorcycle Mechanics
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Oglala Lakota College, approximately 47% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in SD. Actual outcomes may vary.