DCTC vs. South Central College

Comparable Facts

Compare Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, MN with South Central College in North Mankato, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dakota County Technical College is larger than South Central College based on total student enrollment (2,894 students vs. 2,731 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dakota County Technical College is located in Rosemount, MN (Rural Fringe setting); South Central College is in North Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Dakota County Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. South Central College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dakota County Technical College 23:1; South Central College 16:1.

DCTC vs. South Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DCTC or South Central 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 South Central College than DCTC ($9,300 vs. $12,935).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Central College are 31.5% lower than at Dakota County Technical College ($7,400 vs. $10,800).
• Dakota County Technical College is 8.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Central College (about $533 more per year; $6,679.00 vs. $6,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.7% higher at DCTC than at South Central College (about $533 more per year; $6,679.00 vs. $6,146.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Central College than at Dakota County Technical College (75% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by South Central College students is 8.5% larger than aid received by Dakota County Technical College students ($6,137 vs. $5,655).

DCTC vs. South Central College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DCTC or South Central 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 South Central 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; South Central College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: South Central College Aug 1, 2027.

DCTC vs. South Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DCTC and South Central 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 $2,800 more per year than South Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $37,200), 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 South Central College graduates ($10,770 vs. $13,000).
• Among borrowers, DCTC graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Central College graduates ($111 vs. $134).
• More DCTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Central College students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 52%)

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.