Oglala Lakota College vs Western Dakota Technical College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Western Dakota Technical College comes closer — median earnings $40,240 against a $25,340 total, vs $22,517 at Oglala Lakota College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Oglala Lakota College | Western Dakota Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $1,895 | $12,670 |
| Total net cost | $3,790 | $25,340 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $22,517 | $40,240 |
| Median debt | — | $15,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$520,650 | -$187,740 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Oglala Lakota College or Western Dakota Technical College?
Oglala Lakota College, at $1,895 a year after aid versus $12,670 — a gap of $10,775 a year, or $21,550 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Oglala Lakota College or Western Dakota Technical College graduates earn more?
Western Dakota Technical College graduates report a median $40,240 ten years after entry, $17,723 more than the $22,517 at Oglala Lakota College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which graduates more of its students?
54% of students finish at Western Dakota Technical College, against 9% at Oglala Lakota College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.