Lake Area Technical College
Watertown, SD
- Programs
- Auto Mechanic, Aviation Maintenance, Cosmetology and Dental Assistant and 7 more
- Average net price
- $15,278
- Completion rate
- 76%
- Type
- Public
Trade Schools in South Dakota
South Dakota has 12 schools with trade and career programs in this directory: 8 public and 4 private. Together they graduated 1,354 students from these programs in the latest federal count.
Published program tuition runs from $3,200 to $15,885, with a median of $7,604 across the 12 programs that report a program price.
Graduates earned a median of $45,897 one year after finishing, where the Department of Education reports earnings for the program.
The largest programs by graduates are at Lake Area Technical College, Southeast Technical College and Mitchell Technical College.
12
Schools
1,354
Graduates last year
$7,604
Median program tuition
$45,897
Median earnings, 1 yr after
Trade Schools by city in South Dakota
All 12 schools in South Dakota
Southeast Technical College
Sioux Falls, SD
- Programs
- Auto Mechanic, Dental Assistant, Diesel Mechanic and Electrician and 10 more
- Average net price
- $15,616
- Completion rate
- 61%
- Type
- Public
Mitchell Technical College
Mitchell, SD
- Programs
- Electrician, HVAC, Lineworker and LPN and 3 more
- Average net price
- $9,749
- Completion rate
- 79%
- Type
- Public
Western Dakota Technical College
Rapid City, SD
- Programs
- Auto Mechanic, Dental Assistant, Diesel Mechanic and Electrician and 10 more
- Average net price
- $11,390
- Completion rate
- 58%
- Type
- Public
Stewart School
Sioux Falls, SD
- Programs
- Cosmetology, Esthetician, Massage Therapy and Nail Technician
- Average net price
- $16,093
- Completion rate
- 87%
- Type
- Private for-profit
Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City
Rapid City, SD
- Programs
- Cosmetology, Esthetician, Massage Therapy and Nail Technician
- Average net price
- $25,024
- Completion rate
- 69%
- Type
- Private for-profit
The Salon Professional Academy
Rapid City, SD
- Programs
- Cosmetology, Esthetician, Massage Therapy and Nail Technician
- Average net price
- $11,375
- Completion rate
- 77%
- Type
- Private for-profit
National American University-Rapid City
Rapid City, SD
- Programs
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Average net price
- $31,654
- Completion rate
- 33%
- Type
- Private for-profit
Oglala Lakota College
Kyle, SD
- Programs
- Auto Mechanic and Electrician
- Average net price
- $1,431
- Completion rate
- 7%
- Type
- Public
Sinte Gleska University
Mission, SD
- Programs
- Carpentry, Electrician, LPN and Plumbing
- Average net price
- $4,047
- Completion rate
- 6%
- Type
- Public
Dakota State University
Madison, SD
- Programs
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Average net price
- $20,554
- Completion rate
- 49%
- Type
- Public
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD
- Programs
- Phlebotomy
- Average net price
- $20,139
- Completion rate
- 62%
- Type
- Public
Common questions
How much does trade school training cost in South Dakota?
The median published tuition is $7,604 (range $3,200 to $15,885, 12 programs reporting). The lowest listed prices are at Stewart School ($3,200), Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City ($3,325) and The Salon Professional Academy ($4,190). Public community and technical colleges often charge less but report tuition per year rather than per program, so check each school's net price calculator.
How long does trade school school take?
Programs that report a length take a median of 6 months to finish (4 to 14 months). Certificates are shorter; associate degrees usually take about two years.
How much do trade school graduates earn?
Across 44 programs with reported outcomes, the median graduate earned $45,897 one year after finishing (U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard). Earnings vary by program and local labor market.
Are there public trade school programs in South Dakota?
Yes. 8 public schools offer it, including Lake Area Technical College, Southeast Technical College, Mitchell Technical College, Western Dakota Technical College and Oglala Lakota College.
Data: U.S. Department of Education: IPEDS 2024-25 and College Scorecard (October 2026 release). Listings change; confirm details with the school before you go. How this directory is built.