M State vs. Minnesota West Community and Technical College

Comparable Facts

Compare Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls, 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 State Community and Technical College is larger than Minnesota West Community and Technical College based on total student enrollment (5,645 students vs. 3,695 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minnesota State Community and Technical College is located in Fergus Falls, MN (Remote Town setting); Minnesota West Community and Technical College is in Granite Falls, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Minnesota State Community and 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: Minnesota State Community and Technical College 18:1; Minnesota West Community and Technical College 18:1.

M State vs. Minnesota West Community and Technical College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, M State 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 M State ($10,638 vs. $11,802).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota West Community and Technical College are 26.3% lower than at Minnesota State Community and Technical College ($6,500 vs. $8,820).
• Minnesota West Community and Technical College is 9.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than M State (about $583 more per year; $6,491.00 vs. $5,908.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at Minnesota West Community and Technical College than at Minnesota State Community and Technical College (about $583 more per year; $6,491.00 vs. $5,908.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minnesota West Community and Technical College than at Minnesota State Community and Technical College (64% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minnesota West Community and Technical College students is 20.4% larger than aid received by Minnesota State Community and Technical College students ($6,569 vs. $5,456).

M State vs. Minnesota West Community and Technical College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, M State 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 M State.

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

M State vs. Minnesota West Community and Technical College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for M State 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 Minnesota State Community and Technical College earn a median of about $400 more per year than Minnesota West Community and Technical College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,300 vs. $36,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota West Community and Technical College graduates have a $280 lower median loan debt than M State graduates ($11,720 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota West Community and Technical College graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than M State graduates ($121 vs. $124).
• More Minnesota West Community and Technical College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former M State students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.