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Metropolitan State University vs Dunwoody College of Technology: which has better ROI?

Public, Saint Paul MN · vs · Private nonprofit, Minneapolis MN

The verdict

Metropolitan State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $67,452 in 4.1 years versus 4.1 years at Dunwoody College of Technology, on median earnings of $64,705 vs $61,511 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMetropolitan State UniversityDunwoody College of Technology
Net price / yr$16,863$26,939
Total net cost$67,452$53,878
Median earnings, 10 yrs$64,705$61,511
Median debt$17,100$16,000
Payback4.1 yrs4.1 yrs
20-year net return$259,448$209,142

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Metropolitan State University or Dunwoody College of Technology?

Metropolitan State University, at $16,863 a year after aid versus $26,939 — a gap of $10,076 a year, or $13,574 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Metropolitan State University or Dunwoody College of Technology graduates earn more?

Metropolitan State University graduates report a median $64,705 ten years after entry, $3,194 more than the $61,511 at Dunwoody College of Technology. 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, Metropolitan State University or Dunwoody College of Technology?

Dunwoody College of Technology: its completers carry a median $16,000 in federal loans versus $17,100 at Metropolitan State University, a difference of $1,100. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

66% of students finish at Dunwoody College of Technology, against 44% at Metropolitan State University. 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.

Metropolitan State University vs Dunwoody College of Technology: frequently asked questions

Is Metropolitan State University or Dunwoody College of Technology a better value?
Metropolitan State University. It clears its $67,452 net cost in about 4.1 years versus 4.1 years at Dunwoody College of Technology, on median earnings of $64,705 vs $61,511 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Metropolitan State University or Dunwoody College of Technology?
Metropolitan State University: $16,863/yr net price after aid versus $26,939/yr at Dunwoody College of Technology — a difference of $10,076 a year, or about $13,574 over four years.
Do Metropolitan State University or Dunwoody College of Technology graduates earn more?
Metropolitan State University graduates earn a median $64,705 ten years after entry, versus $61,511 at Dunwoody College of Technology — a $3,194 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.