Mitchell Technical College vs Dakota Wesleyan University: which has better ROI?
Mitchell Technical College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $26,920 in 11.3 years versus 14.7 years at Dakota Wesleyan University, on median earnings of $50,743 vs $53,728 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Mitchell Technical College | Dakota Wesleyan University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,460 | $19,735 |
| Total net cost | $26,920 | $78,940 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,743 | $53,728 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 11.3 yrs | 14.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $20,740 | $28,420 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Mitchell Technical College or Dakota Wesleyan University?
Mitchell Technical College, at $13,460 a year after aid versus $19,735 — a gap of $6,275 a year, or $52,020 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Mitchell Technical College or Dakota Wesleyan University graduates earn more?
Dakota Wesleyan University graduates report a median $53,728 ten years after entry, $2,985 more than the $50,743 at Mitchell 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, Mitchell Technical College or Dakota Wesleyan University?
Mitchell Technical College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Dakota Wesleyan University, a difference of $15,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
76% of students finish at Mitchell Technical College, against 48% at Dakota Wesleyan 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.