Lake Area Tech Reports 99% Placement Rate for Class of 2025, Strong Wages and Rapid Degree Earn‑Back Times
- Steve Jurrens
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Lake Area Technical College continues to post some of the strongest graduate outcomes in the region, reporting a 99% placement rate for the Class of 2025 and some of the fastest degree earn‑back times in the school’s history. The findings were presented Monday night during a detailed update to the Watertown School Board.
The annual report tracks graduates six months after completing their programs, measuring employment, military service, continued education, wages, and alignment with industry needs.
“As you all know, we judge a lot of our success based on how well our graduates do,” President Tiffany Sanderson told the board. “It’s not enough just to enroll students or get them to graduation — we want to make sure that when they complete a degree or credential at Lake Area Tech, it means something in the marketplace.”
The Class of 2025 included 860 graduates, with 832 responding to the follow‑up survey — a 96% response rate, far higher than typical post‑secondary reporting.
Sanderson credited her team for the extensive work required to gather and validate the data.
“Our team is amazing. It takes a lot of effort to make all of those connections and get accurate information,” she said, recognizing Career Services Coordinator Saraya Johnson and data specialist Tina Cruz for leading the effort.
99.8% Placement Rate — Among the Best in the Nation
The college reported a 99.8% placement rate, which includes graduates who are:
· Employed
· Serving in the military
· Continuing their education
Only two students from the entire class were still seeking employment six months after graduation.
“We still have a 99% success rate… 99.8% placement,” Sanderson said. “Compare that to the technical college system, which is at 98.8%.”
Graduates Staying in South Dakota
Of the 832 respondents:
· 717 graduates are living and working in South Dakota
· 661 graduates reported being employed
· 87% of employed graduates are working in their field of study
“That continues to speak to our strategic priority of alignment with industry,” Sanderson said. “In a large graduating class, 87% of them who went to work are employed in their field.”
Strong Starting Wages Across Programs
The average starting wage for the Class of 2025 was $27.41 per hour, or just over $57,000 per year.
Wage ranges varied by program:
· Energy Technology — $39.46/hr
· Registered Nursing — above $70,000/year
· Robotics — above $70,000/year
· Fixed‑Wing Pilot — above $70,000/year
· Heavy Equipment Operator — $69,000/year
· Aviation Maintenance — $69,000/year
· Human Services Technology — $20.30/hr
Graduates Earning Back Tuition in 3–11 Months
One of the most striking data points was the earn‑back time — how long it takes graduates to earn the cost of their degree.
“In the class of 2025, it ranged from earning back the cost of their degree in three months… up to 11 months,” Sanderson said.
Programs with the fastest earn‑back times (3 months):
· Energy
· Robotics
· Surgical Technology
The longest earn‑back time was 11 months in the fixed‑wing pilot program — still within the college’s target.
“We start to question things if it takes 12 months or longer,” Sanderson said. “All of our 30‑plus majors were able to earn back the cost of their degree in that first year.”
Sanderson shared insights from graduate comments, which help shape curriculum improvements.
One comment stood out:
“My faculty did a really good job of teaching me how to make money, but I’m not sure what to do with it.”
Sanderson said the feedback was valuable.
Board member Jean Moulton asked for clarification on the definition of “placement.”
“Placement equals a student serving in the military, continuing their education, or working,” Sanderson explained.
Another question focused on credit transfer to universities.
“If it’s in a related field, it’s usually a pretty smooth path in‑state,” she said.
Sanderson closed by emphasizing the strength of the results and the work of faculty and staff.
“Every chance I can get, I want to thank the faculty and staff. It was another very good year… so many good things happening across campus.”
