Minnesota West Community and Technical College vs. South Central College

Comparable Facts

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

Minnesota West Community and Technical College is larger than South Central College based on total student enrollment (3,695 students vs. 2,731 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minnesota West Community and Technical College is located in Granite Falls, MN (Rural Fringe setting); South Central College is in North Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Minnesota West Community and 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: Minnesota West Community and Technical College 18:1; South Central College 16:1.

Minnesota West Community and Technical College vs. South Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Minnesota West Community and Technical College 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 Minnesota West Community and Technical College ($9,300 vs. $10,638).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota West Community and Technical College are 12.2% lower than at South Central College ($6,500 vs. $7,400).
• Minnesota West Community and Technical College is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Central College (about $345 more per year; $6,491.00 vs. $6,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at Minnesota West Community and Technical College than at South Central College (about $345 more per year; $6,491.00 vs. $6,146.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Central College than at Minnesota West Community and Technical College (75% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minnesota West Community and Technical College students is 7% larger than aid received by South Central College students ($6,569 vs. $6,137).

Minnesota West Community and Technical College vs. South Central College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Minnesota West Community and Technical College 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 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; South Central College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: South Central College Aug 1, 2027.

Minnesota West Community and Technical College vs. South Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Minnesota West Community and Technical College 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 South Central College earn a median of about $300 more per year than Minnesota West Community and Technical College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,200 vs. $36,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota West Community and Technical College graduates have a $1,280 lower median loan debt than South Central College graduates ($11,720 vs. $13,000).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota West Community and Technical College graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Central College graduates ($121 vs. $134).
• More Minnesota West Community and Technical College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Central 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.