Head-to-head comparison
Minnesota State University-Mankato vs Dakota County Technical College: which has better ROI?
Option A Mankato, MN
Minnesota State University-Mankato
- Net price / year
- $19,139
- Earnings, 10 years
- $56,922
- Payback
- 8.9 yrs
Option B Rosemount, MN
Dakota County Technical College
- Net price / year
- $13,548
- Earnings, 10 years
- $51,938
- Payback
- 7.6 yrs
Dakota County Technical College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $27,096 in 7.6 years versus 8.9 years at Minnesota State University-Mankato, on median earnings of $51,938 vs $56,922 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Minnesota State University-Mankato | Dakota County Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,139 | $13,548 |
| Total net cost | $76,556 | $27,096 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,922 | $51,938 |
| Median debt | $21,106 | $11,000 |
| Payback | 8.9 yrs | 7.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $94,684 | $44,464 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Minnesota State University-Mankato or Dakota County Technical College?
Dakota County Technical College, at $13,548 a year after aid versus $19,139 — a gap of $5,591 a year, or $49,460 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Minnesota State University-Mankato or Dakota County Technical College graduates earn more?
Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates report a median $56,922 ten years after entry, $4,984 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Minnesota State University-Mankato or Dakota County Technical College?
Dakota County Technical College: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $21,106 at Minnesota State University-Mankato, a difference of $10,106. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
58% of students finish at Dakota County Technical College, against 54% at Minnesota State University-Mankato. 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.