Best colleges for Precision Metal Working in South Dakota
Ranked by graduate earnings
Lake Area Technical College, Southeast Technical College and Western Dakota Technical College award the most Precision Metal Working degrees and certificates in South Dakota: 78, 34 and 25 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 4 South Dakota colleges offer Precision Metal Working and award 145 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Precision Metal Working program focuses on the skills and techniques needed for various metalworking occupations. This program is ideal for students interested in hands-on work involving machinery, fabrication, and assembly of metal…
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Dakota Technical College Rapid City Public · Certificate | $44,614 | 25 | 54% | — | $9,125 |
| 2 | Lake Area Technical College Watertown Public · Associate degree | $43,436 | 78 | 73% | — | $11,001 |
Colleges awarding the most Precision Metal Working degrees in South Dakota
Top 4 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Area Technical College Watertown Public | 78 | $43,436 |
| 2 | Southeast Technical College Sioux Falls Public | 34 | Not reported |
| 3 | Western Dakota Technical College Rapid City Public | 25 | $44,614 |
| 4 | Mitchell Technical College Mitchell Public | 8 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Sheet Metal Workers (SOC 47-2211).
Top skills
What Sheet Metal Workers earn in South Dakota
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Precision Metal Working programs in South Dakota.
Which South Dakota colleges award the most Precision Metal Working degrees?+
Lake Area Technical College (78 graduates a year), Southeast Technical College (34 graduates a year) and Western Dakota Technical College (25 graduates a year) award the most Precision Metal Working degrees and certificates in South Dakota, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 4 South Dakota colleges offer Precision Metal Working.
Which Precision Metal Working program in South Dakota has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Western Dakota Technical College tops the list at $44,614. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Sheet Metal Workers earn in South Dakota?+
The average annual wage for Sheet Metal Workers in South Dakota is $54,140 (median $47,800), across about 320 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Precision Metal Working program?+
The Precision Metal Working program focuses on the skills and techniques needed for various metalworking occupations. This program is ideal for students interested in hands-on work involving machinery, fabrication, and assembly of metal…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, critical thinking, monitoring, mathematics, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Sheet Metal Workers?+
The national job outlook is about +2.4% growth with around 10,600 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A High school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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