LSC vs. Minnesota West Community and Technical College

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Superior College in Duluth, 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.

Lake Superior College is larger than Minnesota West Community and Technical College based on total student enrollment (4,074 students vs. 3,695 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Superior College is located in Duluth, MN (Small City setting); Minnesota West Community and Technical College is in Granite Falls, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Lake Superior 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: Lake Superior College 19:1; Minnesota West Community and Technical College 18:1.

LSC vs. Minnesota West Community and Technical College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSC 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 LSC ($10,638 vs. $14,131).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota West Community and Technical College are 33.9% lower than at Lake Superior College ($6,500 vs. $9,839).
• Minnesota West Community and Technical College is 12.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than LSC (about $706 more per year; $6,491.00 vs. $5,785.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.2% higher at Minnesota West Community and Technical College than at Lake Superior College (about $706 more per year; $6,491.00 vs. $5,785.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minnesota West Community and Technical College than at Lake Superior College (64% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minnesota West Community and Technical College students is 18.3% larger than aid received by Lake Superior College students ($6,569 vs. $5,552).

LSC vs. Minnesota West Community and Technical College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LSC 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 LSC.

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

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

How do outcomes compare for LSC 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 Lake Superior College earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than Minnesota West Community and Technical College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,700 vs. $36,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota West Community and Technical College graduates have a $2,280 lower median loan debt than LSC graduates ($11,720 vs. $14,000).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota West Community and Technical College graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LSC graduates ($121 vs. $144).
• More Minnesota West Community and Technical College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSC students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 48%)

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.