Academic Programs & Learning
A comprehensive look at the academic experience at Lake Area Technical College: retention, enrollment intensity, and online learning options.
What About Academic Quality at Lake Area Technical College?
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
17:1
Average students per faculty member
Full-Time Retention
83%
Students continuing to second year
Part-Time Retention
69%
Part-time students continuing
How Lake Area Technical College Compares
Lake Area Technical College retains 83% of its full-time students — meaningfully higher than the trade-college median. High retention generally tracks with engaged faculty, well-paced programs, and strong advising; expect those characteristics here.
Understanding Academic Quality Metrics
Student-Faculty Ratio: A ratio of 17:1 means there are approximately 17 students for every faculty member. This moderate ratio balances personalized attention with institutional capacity.
Retention Rates: These show the percentage of students who return for their second year. Higher retention rates typically indicate student satisfaction, academic support, and program quality.
Graduation Rate Survey Cohort: 57% of entering students are tracked for graduation outcomes.
Who Teaches at Lake Area Technical College?
Tenure Status
Academic Ranks
Understanding Faculty Composition
With 114 instructors, Lake Area Technical College supports both research-oriented and teaching-focused academic programs. The 96% tenure rate indicates a blend of experienced career faculty and newer educators.
Where Do Online Students at Lake Area Technical College Come From?
Geographic distribution of students enrolled exclusively in online courses (Fall 2024 census)
Where exclusively-online students are located
About this data: The geographic breakdown above uses IPEDS Fall Enrollment census data, which captures a single-day snapshot. The enrollment figures in the "How Do Students Learn?" section above use 12-month unduplicated headcount, which typically shows higher numbers as it covers the full academic year. Both are official IPEDS data — they measure different things.
94% of Lake Area Technical College's exclusively online students are located in SD. The school primarily serves local online learners.
What Is the Academic Load at Lake Area Technical College?
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Analysis
FTE Analysis
Study Intensity:89.2% FTE ratio indicates a mix of full-time and part-time students
Academic Load: FTE represents the equivalent of full-time students based on credit hours, helping compare institutional capacity regardless of part-time enrollment.
At Lake Area Technical College, the FTE metric combines full-time and part-time enrollment into a single number, making it easier to compare with other institutions.
How Intensively Do Students Study at Lake Area Technical College?
Student Enrollment Intensity
The Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) ratio shows the average course load intensity. An FTE ratio of 1.0 means all students attend full-time, while lower values indicate more part-time enrollment.
Most students maintain full-time or near-full-time course loads, balancing academics with limited outside commitments.
FTE represents student enrollment adjusted for course load. Two half-time students equal 1 FTE.
FTE Ratio Scale
Enrollment intensity at Lake Area Technical College sits at 0.89 — a measure of how much of the student body is enrolled full-time versus part-time.
Academic Support & Resources
Academic Advising
Students have access to academic advisors who can help with course selection, degree planning, and career guidance. Contact the admissions office to learn about advising services.
Student Success Services
Many institutions offer tutoring, study groups, and academic success workshops. These resources help students develop study skills and overcome academic challenges.
For detailed information about academic support services, tutoring hours, and learning resources, contact Lake Area Technical College directly at 6058825284 or visit their website .
Key Academic Highlights
- Student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1 supports personalized learning
- 114 instructional staff with 96% holding tenured positions
- Primarily full-time enrollment creates immersive learning environment
- Online students primarily from SD (94% in-state)
Ready to Learn More About Academics at Lake Area Technical College?
Contact the admissions office to discuss academic programs, support services, and learning options.