North Hennepin Community College 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 8.8 years at North Hennepin Community College, on median earnings of $51,938 vs $51,142 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | North Hennepin Community College | Dakota County Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,186 | $13,548 |
| Total net cost | $24,372 | $27,096 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,142 | $51,938 |
| Median debt | $14,750 | $11,000 |
| Payback | 8.8 yrs | 7.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $31,268 | $44,464 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, North Hennepin Community College or Dakota County Technical College?
North Hennepin Community College, at $12,186 a year after aid versus $13,548 — a gap of $1,362 a year, or $2,724 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do North Hennepin Community College or Dakota County Technical College graduates earn more?
Dakota County Technical College graduates report a median $51,938 ten years after entry, $796 more than the $51,142 at North Hennepin 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, North Hennepin Community College or Dakota County Technical College?
Dakota County Technical College: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $14,750 at North Hennepin Community College, a difference of $3,750. 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 22% at North Hennepin 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.