DCTC vs. Northland Community and Technical College

Comparable Facts

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

Dakota County Technical College is larger than Northland Community and Technical College based on total student enrollment (2,894 students vs. 2,631 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

DCTC vs. Northland Community and Technical College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DCTC or Northland 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 Dakota County Technical College than Northland Community and Technical College ($12,935 vs. $13,776).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northland Community and Technical College are 13.5% lower than at Dakota County Technical College ($9,342 vs. $10,800).
• Dakota County Technical College is 6.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northland Community and Technical College (about $390 more per year; $6,679.00 vs. $6,289.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at DCTC than at Northland Community and Technical College (about $390 more per year; $6,679.00 vs. $6,289.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northland Community and Technical College than at Dakota County Technical College (62% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northland Community and Technical College students is 1.8% larger than aid received by Dakota County Technical College students ($5,754 vs. $5,655).

DCTC vs. Northland Community and Technical College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DCTC or Northland 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 Northland 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; Northland Community and Technical College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northland Community and Technical College Aug 28, 2027.

DCTC vs. Northland Community and Technical College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DCTC and Northland 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 Northland Community and Technical College earn a median of about $400 more per year than DCTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota County Technical College graduates have a $2,230 lower median loan debt than Northland Community and Technical College graduates ($10,770 vs. $13,000).
• Among borrowers, DCTC graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northland Community and Technical College graduates ($111 vs. $134).
• More DCTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northland 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.