Saint Cloud State University vs Dakota County Technical College: which has better ROI?
Saint Cloud State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $54,116 in 7.3 years versus 7.6 years at Dakota County Technical College, on median earnings of $55,813 vs $51,938 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Saint Cloud State University | Dakota County Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,529 | $13,548 |
| Total net cost | $54,116 | $27,096 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,813 | $51,938 |
| Median debt | $21,058 | $11,000 |
| Payback | 7.3 yrs | 7.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $94,944 | $44,464 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Saint Cloud State University or Dakota County Technical College?
Saint Cloud State University, at $13,529 a year after aid versus $13,548 — a gap of $19 a year, or $27,020 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Saint Cloud State University or Dakota County Technical College graduates earn more?
Saint Cloud State University graduates report a median $55,813 ten years after entry, $3,875 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, Saint Cloud State University or Dakota County Technical College?
Dakota County Technical College: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $21,058 at Saint Cloud State University, a difference of $10,058. 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 40% at Saint Cloud State 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.