Normandale Community College vs Hennepin Technical College: which has better ROI?
Normandale Community College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $25,944 in 14 years versus 37.4 years at Hennepin Technical College, on median earnings of $50,207 vs $49,460 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Normandale Community College | Hennepin Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,972 | $10,272 |
| Total net cost | $25,944 | $41,088 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,207 | $49,460 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $11,433 |
| Payback | 14 yrs | 37.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $10,996 | -$19,088 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Normandale Community College or Hennepin Technical College?
Hennepin Technical College, at $10,272 a year after aid versus $12,972 — a gap of $2,700 a year, or $15,144 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Normandale Community College or Hennepin Technical College graduates earn more?
Normandale Community College graduates report a median $50,207 ten years after entry, $747 more than the $49,460 at Hennepin 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, Normandale Community College or Hennepin Technical College?
Hennepin Technical College: its completers carry a median $11,433 in federal loans versus $12,000 at Normandale Community College, a difference of $567. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
42% of students finish at Hennepin Technical College, against 27% at Normandale Community 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.