Minnesota State University-Mankato vs Dakota County Technical College: which has better ROI?
Dakota County Technical College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $27,096 in 7.6 years versus 8.9 years at Minnesota State University-Mankato, on median earnings of $51,938 vs $56,922 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Minnesota State University-Mankato | Dakota County Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,139 | $13,548 |
| Total net cost | $76,556 | $27,096 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,922 | $51,938 |
| Median debt | $21,106 | $11,000 |
| Payback | 8.9 yrs | 7.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $94,684 | $44,464 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Minnesota State University-Mankato or Dakota County Technical College?
Dakota County Technical College, at $13,548 a year after aid versus $19,139 — a gap of $5,591 a year, or $49,460 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Minnesota State University-Mankato or Dakota County Technical College graduates earn more?
Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates report a median $56,922 ten years after entry, $4,984 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, Minnesota State University-Mankato or Dakota County Technical College?
Dakota County Technical College: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $21,106 at Minnesota State University-Mankato, a difference of $10,106. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
58% of students finish at Dakota County Technical College, against 54% at Minnesota State University-Mankato. 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.