DCTC vs. Minnesota West Community and Technical College

Comparable Facts

Compare Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, MN with Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Granite Falls, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Minnesota West Community and Technical College is larger than DCTC based on total student enrollment (3,695 students vs. 2,894 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dakota County Technical College is located in Rosemount, MN (Rural Fringe setting); Minnesota West Community and Technical College is in Granite Falls, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Dakota County Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Minnesota West Community and Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dakota County Technical College 23:1; Minnesota West Community and Technical College 18:1.

DCTC vs. Minnesota West Community and Technical College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DCTC or Minnesota West Community and Technical College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Minnesota West Community and Technical College than DCTC ($10,638 vs. $12,935).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota West Community and Technical College are 39.8% lower than at Dakota County Technical College ($6,500 vs. $10,800).
• Dakota County Technical College is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Minnesota West Community and Technical College (about $188 more per year; $6,679.00 vs. $6,491.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at DCTC than at Minnesota West Community and Technical College (about $188 more per year; $6,679.00 vs. $6,491.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minnesota West Community and Technical College than at Dakota County Technical College (64% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minnesota West Community and Technical College students is 16.2% larger than aid received by Dakota County Technical College students ($6,569 vs. $5,655).

DCTC vs. Minnesota West Community and Technical College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DCTC or Minnesota West Community and Technical College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Minnesota West Community and Technical College and DCTC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DCTC - Open admission; Minnesota West Community and Technical College - Open admission.

DCTC vs. Minnesota West Community and Technical College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DCTC and Minnesota West Community and Technical College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Dakota County Technical College earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than Minnesota West Community and Technical College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $36,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota County Technical College graduates have a $950 lower median loan debt than Minnesota West Community and Technical College graduates ($10,770 vs. $11,720).
• Among borrowers, DCTC graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Minnesota West Community and Technical College graduates ($111 vs. $121).
• More DCTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota West Community and Technical College students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.