What Does Lake Area Technical College Offer for Welding Students?
Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, South Dakota offers an associate degree and a diploma in welding through its Welding Technology program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $6,718 for a full-time year (all students), the lowest of the 4 South Dakota schools we list with federal figures. The school awarded 54 welding credentials in 2024–25, more than any other South Dakota school here. Best for keeping tuition low in South Dakota.
Lake Area Technical College Welding Tuition: $6,718 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $6,718 all students, 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $1,200 2024–25 estimate
- Welding certificates awarded
- 33 2024–25
- Welding associate degrees
- 21 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 73% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 2,312 school-wide, Fall 2024
Tuition and fees are for a full-time year. Awards count welding credentials conferred. Graduation rate and enrollment cover the whole school. Source: NCES College Navigator.
Welding Degree and Certificates at Lake Area Technical College
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Welding Technology, Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree | Associate | 71.5 credit hours |
| Welding Technology Diploma (exit point after first year) | Diploma | 34.5 credit hours |
As listed on Lake Area Technical College's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.
From Stick Welding to Robotics: What Lake Area Technical College Teaches
Beyond welding processes, students train in metal fabrication with rolling, bending and CNC plasma cutting equipment, finishing with a capstone build, and can extend the A.A.S. toward Precision Machining or Marketing & Management.
- Stick (SMAW)
- MIG (GMAW)
- TIG (GTAW)aluminum TIG
- Pipe welding
- Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingoxy-acetylene, carbon arc cutting, CNC plasma cutting
- Fabrication and blueprint reading
- Robotic and automated weldingrobotic welding, CNC plasma cutting
Class Schedule and Certification Testing at Lake Area Technical College
Schedule. A.A.S.: 18 months (4 semesters); diploma: 9 months (2 semesters).
Testing. Graduates are prepared to take the American Welding Society certification test and enter a field with strong demand across industries.
Where You'll Train: Lake Area Technical College
- Lake Area Technical College
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Lake Area Technical College's own site.
Visit lakeareatech.eduWhat Welders Earn in South Dakota
Across South Dakota, the median welder wage is $49,440 a year, from $38,100 at the 10th percentile to $63,380 at the 90th, with 3,250 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
5 More Welding Schools Within 100 Miles of Watertown
- Minnesota West Community and Technical College75 mi · $6,491/yr
- Southeast Technical College93 mi · $7,650/yr
- Mitchell Technical College95 mi · $7,524/yr
- North Dakota State College of Science98 mi · $5,974/yr
- Ridgewater College100 mi · $6,121/yr
Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in South Dakota
Lake Area Technical College Welding FAQ
Does Lake Area Technical College Have a Welding Program?
Yes. Lake Area Technical College offers an associate degree and a diploma in welding at Lake Area Technical College. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), pipe welding, oxy-fuel and plasma cutting.
How Much Does Welding School Cost at Lake Area Technical College?
Lake Area Technical College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $6,718 for a full-time year (all students), with books and supplies estimated at $1,200. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.
How Long Is the Welding Program at Lake Area Technical College?
Welding Technology, Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree: 71.5 credit hours. Welding Technology Diploma (exit point after first year): 34.5 credit hours.
Does Lake Area Technical College Offer Night or Weekend Welding Classes?
A.A.S.: 18 months (4 semesters); diploma: 9 months (2 semesters).
Can You Get Welding Certified at Lake Area Technical College?
Graduates are prepared to take the American Welding Society certification test and enter a field with strong demand across industries.
How Much Do Welders Make in South Dakota?
The median welder wage in South Dakota is $49,440 a year, and the middle half earn between $45,710 and $59,360 (BLS, May 2025).
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