Auto mechanic classes in South Dakota

3 auto mechanic programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

3 schools offer these automotive programs, and South Dakota has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Automotive service technicians and mechanics inspect, maintain and repair cars and light trucks. Most complete a program in automotive service technology that leads to a certificate or an associate's degree, and employers may require or prefer certification.¹ In South Dakota, every program asks for a diploma or other schooling first.

See the 3 programs

How much do auto mechanic classes cost in South Dakota?

$16,402 to $19,448

is what the 3 programs with a price cost if you pay yourself

In the typical program

Finished the program: Too few programs to say
Working 6 months later: Not reported
Earned a year, estimated: Too few programs to say
Length: Too few programs to say

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in South Dakota may also offer auto mechanic classes. How these figures are made

Are there free auto mechanic classes in South Dakota?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program on this page.²³
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁴
Or pay yourself. These programs cost $16,402 to $19,448.

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

Auto mechanic classes in Sioux Falls, Watertown, Rapid City and other South Dakota cities

Choosing an area filters the list below.

All 3 auto mechanic programs in South Dakota approved for WIOA funding

3 programs

Automotive technician (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Automotive Technology | AAS | In-person
Southeast Technical College
Sioux Falls
High school diploma or equivalent
Southeast Technical College, Sioux Falls · Automotive technician (associate degree) · In person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$35,800
Price if you pay yourself$16,575
Program website, Automotive Technology | AAS | In-person at Southeast Technical College
More details about Automotive Technology | AAS | In-person at Southeast Technical College
Finished
71%
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
$8,944
Length
64 weeks, 18 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$4,000
Students counted
155
a year, estimated
$35,800
price
$16,575
Automotive technician (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Automotive Technology | AAS | Campus
Lake Area Technical College
Watertown
High school diploma or equivalent
Lake Area Technical College, Watertown · Automotive technician (associate degree) · In person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$28,300
Price if you pay yourself$16,402
Program website, Automotive Technology | AAS | Campus at Lake Area Technical College
More details about Automotive Technology | AAS | Campus at Lake Area Technical College
Finished
74%
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
$7,075
Length
68 weeks, 27 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$1,000
Students counted
154
a year, estimated
$28,300
price
$16,402
Automotive technician (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Automotive Technology | AAS | Campus (68 credit hours)
Western Dakota Technical College
Rapid City
High school diploma or equivalent
Western Dakota Technical College, Rapid City · Automotive technician (associate degree) · In person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$19,448
Program website, Automotive Technology | AAS | Campus (68 credit hours) at Western Dakota Technical College
More details about Automotive Technology | AAS | Campus (68 credit hours) at Western Dakota Technical College
Finished
59%
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
64 weeks, 25 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$15,175
Students counted
85
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$19,448

How to pay for auto mechanic classes in South Dakota

WIOA funding can pay for auto mechanic classes in South Dakota

Every program on this page is approved for WIOA funding: public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. It can pay for training for eligible adults, people who lost their job and young people.²People on public assistance, with a low income or lacking basic skills come first, and veterans have priority.³

Ask at an American Job Center

Eligibility rules apply, and services vary from state to state. Your local American Job Center can tell you whether you qualify. The Department of Labor's page links to the center finder, or call 1-877-US-2JOBS (1-877-872-5627).⁴

Financial aid and grants for auto mechanic classes

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.⁵⁶

GI Bill for auto mechanic classes

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.⁷

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Does WIOA pay for job training? Who qualifies and how to apply

Where the South Dakota automotive program numbers come from

Which South Dakota automotive programs are on this list?

These are the automotive programs South Dakota approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).⁸ The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what South Dakota offers.

How the prices and results of South Dakota automotive programs are measured

The price is tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported it. Results describe students who left the program in recent years, and the yearly earnings figure is the reported quarter times four, an estimate. They describe past students, so they are no guarantee. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported". Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

How reliable are the South Dakota figures?

We leave out the share working 6 months later for South Dakota: its rates sit far below every other state's.

Other training in South Dakota

Sources for the facts about auto mechanic classes in South Dakota

Show the 8 sourcesHide the sources