Normandale Community College vs Southwest Minnesota State University: 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 20.5 years at Southwest Minnesota State University, on median earnings of $50,207 vs $51,342 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Normandale Community College | Southwest Minnesota State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,972 | $15,291 |
| Total net cost | $25,944 | $61,164 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,207 | $51,342 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $20,500 |
| Payback | 14 yrs | 20.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $10,996 | -$1,524 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Normandale Community College or Southwest Minnesota State University?
Normandale Community College, at $12,972 a year after aid versus $15,291 — a gap of $2,319 a year, or $35,220 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 Southwest Minnesota State University graduates earn more?
Southwest Minnesota State University graduates report a median $51,342 ten years after entry, $1,135 more than the $50,207 at Normandale Community 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 Southwest Minnesota State University?
Normandale Community College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $20,500 at Southwest Minnesota State University, a difference of $8,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
45% of students finish at Southwest Minnesota State University, 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.