Northwest Technical College vs. DCTC

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, MN with Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dakota County Technical College is larger than Northwest Technical College based on total student enrollment (2,894 students vs. 978 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest Technical College is located in Bemidji, MN (Remote Town setting); Dakota County Technical College is in Rosemount, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northwest Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Dakota County Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwest Technical College 16:1; Dakota County Technical College 23:1.

Northwest Technical College vs. DCTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwest Technical College or DCTC? 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 Northwest Technical College than DCTC ($8,910 vs. $12,935).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota County Technical College are 3.7% lower than at Northwest Technical College ($10,800 vs. $11,216).
• Dakota County Technical College is 6.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwest Technical College (about $425 more per year; $6,679.00 vs. $6,254.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.8% higher at DCTC than at Northwest Technical College (about $425 more per year; $6,679.00 vs. $6,254.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest Technical College than at Dakota County Technical College (71% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Technical College students is 20% larger than aid received by Dakota County Technical College students ($6,786 vs. $5,655).

Northwest Technical College vs. DCTC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwest Technical College or DCTC? 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 DCTC and Northwest Technical College.

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

Northwest Technical College vs. DCTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwest Technical College and DCTC? 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota County Technical College graduates have a $1,469 lower median loan debt than Northwest Technical College graduates ($10,770 vs. $12,239).
• Among borrowers, DCTC graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest Technical College graduates ($111 vs. $126).
• More DCTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest Technical College students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 51%)

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.