LSC vs. South Central College

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Superior College in Duluth, MN with South Central College in North Mankato, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lake Superior College is larger than South Central College based on total student enrollment (4,074 students vs. 2,731 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Superior College is located in Duluth, MN (Small City setting); South Central College is in North Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Lake Superior College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. South Central College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Superior College 19:1; South Central College 16:1.

LSC vs. South Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSC 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 LSC ($9,300 vs. $14,131).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Central College are 24.8% lower than at Lake Superior College ($7,400 vs. $9,839).
• South Central College is 6.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than LSC (about $361 more per year; $6,146.00 vs. $5,785.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at South Central College than at Lake Superior College (about $361 more per year; $6,146.00 vs. $5,785.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Central College than at Lake Superior College (75% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by South Central College students is 10.5% larger than aid received by Lake Superior College students ($6,137 vs. $5,552).

LSC vs. South Central College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LSC 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 LSC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LSC - Open admission; South Central College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: South Central College Aug 1, 2027.

LSC vs. South Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LSC 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 Lake Superior College earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than South Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,700 vs. $37,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, South Central College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than LSC graduates ($13,000 vs. $14,000).
• Among borrowers, South Central College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LSC graduates ($134 vs. $144).
• More South Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSC students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.