Western Dakota Technical Institute

800 Mickelson Dr
Rapid City, SD 57703
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Tel: (605) 718-2400
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  • Western Dakota Technical Institute is a public institution of higher learning where students acquire the knowledge, skills and behaviors necessary for successful employment.

School Highlights

Western Dakota Technical Institute serves 1,061 students (54% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is same as the state community college average of 16:1.
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority American), which is more than the state average of 23%.

Top Placements

Western Dakota Technical Institute places among the top 20% of community colleges in South Dakota for:

School Overview

The teacher population of 65 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Western Dakota Technical Institute(SD) Community College Avg.
Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate / Associates CollegesBaccalaureate / Associates Colleges
Institution LevelAt least 2 but less than 4 yearsAt least 2 yrs but < 4 yrs
Institution ControlPublicPublic
Total Faculty65 staff70 staff
This chart display total faculty of Western Dakota Technical Institute and community college average number of faculty in SD by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Western Dakota Technical Institute has grown by 26% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 has increased from 12:1 over five years.
The Western Dakota Technical Institute diversity score of 0.45 is more than the state average of 0.40. The school's diversity has grown by 24% over five years.
Total Enrollment1,061 students1,061 students
This chart display the total enrollment of Western Dakota Technical Institute and community college average number of enrollment of SD by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio16:116:1
This chart display the student staff ratio of Western Dakota Technical Institute and community college average student staff ratio of SD by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
# Full-Time Students568 students568 students
This chart display the total number of Full-Time students enrollment of Western Dakota Technical Institute and average number of community college Full-Time students enrollment of SD by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
# Part-Time Students493 students493 students
This chart display the total number of Part-Time students enrollment of Western Dakota Technical Institute and average number of community college Part-Time students enrollment of SD by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
This chart display the Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of Western Dakota Technical Institute. This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of SD.
% American Indian/Alaskan
11%
3%
This chart display the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Western Dakota Technical Institute and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in SD by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
% Asian
1%
2%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Western Dakota Technical Institute and the percentage of Asian community college students in SD by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
% Hispanic
5%
5%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Western Dakota Technical Institute and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in SD by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
% Black
1%
7%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Western Dakota Technical Institute and the percentage of Black community college students in SD by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
% White
73%
77%
This chart display the percentage of White students in Western Dakota Technical Institute and the percentage of White community college students in SD by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
% Two or more races
4%
1%
This chart display the percentage of Two or more races students in Western Dakota Technical Institute and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in SD by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
% Non Resident races
4%
1%
This chart display the percentage of Non Resident students in Western Dakota Technical Institute and the percentage of Non Resident community college students in SD by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
% Unknown races
1%
4%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Western Dakota Technical Institute. This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in SD.
Diversity Score0.450.40
This chart display the diversity score of Western Dakota Technical Institute and the community college average diversity score of SD by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
College Completion Rate
31%
46%
This chart display completion rates for First-Time of Full-Time students of Western Dakota Technical Institute and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-Time students of SD by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)$35,600$38,900
This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Western Dakota Technical Institute and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of SD by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Finances and Admission

The public in-state tuition of $5,960 is more than the state average of $5,744. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $5,960 is more than the state average of $5,744. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees$5,960$5,744
This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of Western Dakota Technical Institute and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of SD by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees$5,960$5,744
This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Western Dakota Technical Institute and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of SD by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid91%92%
This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Western Dakota Technical Institute and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in SD by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates$12,000$12,000
This chart display median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Western Dakota Technical Institute and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in SD by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts$5,500$5,500
This chart display median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Western Dakota Technical Institute and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in SD by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.
Acceptance Rate97%56%
This chart display the percent admitted of Western Dakota Technical Institute and the community college average percent admitted of SD by year, with the latest 2009-10 school year data.
Source: 2019 (or latest year available) IPEDS

School Notes

  • Western Dakota Tech is located in Rapid City in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. Western Dakota Technical Institute provides quality technical educational opportunities to residents of South Dakota and across the country. Western Dakota Tech is one of four State-supported postsecondary technical institutes in South Dakota. The college offer 25 different career programs ranging in length from 9 to 18 months. Western Dakota Tech grants Associate of Applied Science degrees and diplomas upon successful completion of individual program requirements. Through the Business and Industry Training Center a wide variety of non-credit classes, workshops, teleconferences and seminars are available to assist residents in enhancing one's personal or professional skills. The college offers programs in Accounting, Ag-Resources Tech Ag-Business, Ag-Resources Tech Equine Management, Ag-Resources Tech Natural Resources, Ag-Resources Tech Ranch Management, Automotive Technician, Business Management & Marketing, Cabinetry/Fine Woodworking, Carpentry, Collision Repair, Computer Aided Drafting, Computer Networking Specialist-Net Admin Computer Networking Specialist-Prog, Disability/Human Services Technician, Electronics & Computer Technician, Fire Science, Health Unit Coordinator, Industrial Electronics, Law Enforcement Technology, Medical Administrative Services, Medical Transcriptionist, Paralegal/Legal Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy/Laboratory Assistant, Practical Nursing, Public Safety Telecom Operator, Surgical Technology and Welding/Manufacturing. Our small class sizes combined with extensive hands-on experience create a personalized education that assures our graduates are well prepared for success in today's job market.

Nearby Schools

The nearest community college to Western Dakota Technical Institute is National American University-Rapid City (4.5 miles away).
  • College Location Mi. Students
  • National American University-Rapid City
    Private for-profit
    1,665 students | 4.50 Mi5301 Mount Rushmore Road
    Rapid City,  SD  57701
    (605) 394-4800     4.501,665
  • Eastern Wyoming College
    Public
    1,462 students | 147.50 Mi3200 West C St
    Torrington,  WY  82240
    (307) 532-8200     147.501,462
  • Western Nebraska Community College
    Public
    1,825 students | 154.00 Mi1601 East 27th Street
    Scottsbluff,  NE  69361
    (308) 635-3606     154.001,825
  • Casper College
    Casper College Photo - The Student Union is a central gathering point for students.
    Public
    4,253 students | 179.60 Mi125 College Dr
    Casper,  WY  82601
    (307) 268-2100     179.604,253
  • Northern Wyoming Community College District
    Public
    4,168 students | 191.80 Mi1 Whitney Way
    Sheridan,  WY  82801
    (307) 675-0505     191.804,168
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Quick Stats (2021)
  • Students: 1,061 students
  • In-state tuition: $5,960
  • Out-state tuition: $5,960
  • Acceptance Rate: 97%
  • Student:teacher ratio: 16:1
  • Minority enrollment: 27%
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Western Dakota Technical Institute's enrollment is up opposed to other South Dakota tech schools 2:08

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Did You Know?
For South Dakota public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $5,744 per year for in-state students and $5,744 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $13,334 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

South Dakota community colleges have a diversity score of 0.40, which is lower than the national average of 0.73. The most diverse community college in South Dakota is National American University-Rapid City. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.
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