Minnesota West Community and Technical College vs. Rochester Community and Technical College

Comparable Facts

Compare Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Granite Falls, MN with Rochester Community and Technical College in Rochester, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rochester Community and Technical College is larger than Minnesota West Community and Technical College based on total student enrollment (5,205 students vs. 3,695 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minnesota West Community and Technical College is located in Granite Falls, MN (Rural Fringe setting); Rochester Community and Technical College is in Rochester, MN (Midsize City setting).
• Minnesota West Community and Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Rochester Community and Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minnesota West Community and Technical College 18:1; Rochester Community and Technical College 23:1.

Minnesota West Community and Technical College vs. Rochester Community and Technical College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Minnesota West Community and Technical College or Rochester 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 Rochester Community and Technical College ($10,638 vs. $13,684).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota West Community and Technical College are 20.7% lower than at Rochester Community and Technical College ($6,500 vs. $8,200).
• Minnesota West Community and Technical College is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rochester Community and Technical College (about $102 more per year; $6,491.00 vs. $6,389.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Minnesota West Community and Technical College than at Rochester Community and Technical College (about $102 more per year; $6,491.00 vs. $6,389.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minnesota West Community and Technical College than at Rochester Community and Technical College (64% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minnesota West Community and Technical College students is 13.8% larger than aid received by Rochester Community and Technical College students ($6,569 vs. $5,771).

Minnesota West Community and Technical College vs. Rochester Community and Technical College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Minnesota West Community and Technical College or Rochester 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 Rochester Community and Technical College and Minnesota West Community and Technical College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Minnesota West Community and Technical College - Open admission; Rochester Community and Technical College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Rochester Community and Technical College Aug 15, 2027.

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

How do outcomes compare for Minnesota West Community and Technical College and Rochester 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 Rochester Community and Technical College earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Minnesota West Community and Technical College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,300 vs. $36,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota West Community and Technical College graduates have a $2,422 lower median loan debt than Rochester Community and Technical College graduates ($11,720 vs. $14,142).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota West Community and Technical College graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rochester Community and Technical College graduates ($121 vs. $146).
• More Minnesota West Community and Technical College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rochester Community and Technical College 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.