Welding programs in South Dakota
7 welding programs at 4 South Dakota schools are in the federal data. Where earnings are reported (2 programs), the state median is $47,755 one year after completion, 10% above the national median of $43,370. Median borrower debt is $8,750.
| School | City | Program | Credential | Completers/yr | 1-yr earnings | Median debt | Monthly payment* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Area Technical College | Watertown, SD | Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 27 | $52,506 | $12,000 | $136 |
| Western Dakota Technical College | Rapid City, SD | Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 23 | $43,004 | $15,500 | $176 |
| Lake Area Technical College | Watertown, SD | Precision Metal Working | Certificate | 48 | not reported | $5,500 | $63 |
| Mitchell Technical College | Mitchell, SD | Precision Metal Working | Certificate | 2 | not reported | – | – |
| Mitchell Technical College | Mitchell, SD | Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | – | – |
| Southeast Technical College | Sioux Falls, SD | Precision Metal Working | Certificate | 51 | not reported | $5,500 | $63 |
| Western Dakota Technical College | Rapid City, SD | Precision Metal Working | Certificate | 20 | not reported | – | – |
*Scorecard's estimated monthly payment on the median debt over 10 years. “Not reported” means the Department suppressed or did not publish the figure.
Compare schools near you
Use the data on this page to shortlist two or three schools, then contact them directly with the links provided. Ask each school the questions listed on the page.
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Before you choose a welding school in South Dakota
Employers often ask for a welding certification such as those offered by the American Welding Society. Those exams are separate from the school diploma, so ask each school how many weld-test hours you get in a booth.
- How many hours are spent in the weld booth versus the classroom?
- Which welding processes (SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW) and positions are covered?
- Does the school host certification tests on site?
More programs in South Dakota
All South Dakota programs · Welding & Metalworking nationwide
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study and Institution files (release dated 10/15/2026). Earnings are median annual earnings of completers working and not enrolled one year after finishing; debt is median federal loan debt of borrowers; both describe past cohorts and small programs are suppressed by the Department. See our methodology.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best-paying welding program in South Dakota?
By reported one-year earnings, Lake Area Technical College leads at $52,506 in the associate degree program, but compare cost and local jobs too.
How many welding programs are in South Dakota?
The Scorecard lists 7 certificate or associate programs in this field at 4 schools in South Dakota.