Dakota County Technical College vs College of Saint Benedict: which has better ROI?
College of Saint Benedict has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $106,560 in 7.2 years versus 7.6 years at Dakota County Technical College, on median earnings of $63,260 vs $51,938 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Dakota County Technical College | College of Saint Benedict |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,548 | $26,640 |
| Total net cost | $27,096 | $106,560 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,938 | $63,260 |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $26,944 |
| Payback | 7.6 yrs | 7.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $44,464 | $191,440 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Dakota County Technical College or College of Saint Benedict?
Dakota County Technical College, at $13,548 a year after aid versus $26,640 — a gap of $13,092 a year, or $79,464 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Dakota County Technical College or College of Saint Benedict graduates earn more?
College of Saint Benedict graduates report a median $63,260 ten years after entry, $11,322 more than the $51,938 at Dakota County Technical College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Dakota County Technical College or College of Saint Benedict?
Dakota County Technical College: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $26,944 at College of Saint Benedict, a difference of $15,944. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at College of Saint Benedict, against 58% at Dakota County Technical College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.