Head-to-head comparison
Winona State University vs Dakota County Technical College: which has better ROI?
Option A Winona, MN
Winona State University
- Net price / year
- $17,503
- Earnings, 10 years
- $58,532
- Payback
- 6.9 yrs
Option B Rosemount, MN
Dakota County Technical College
- Net price / year
- $13,548
- Earnings, 10 years
- $51,938
- Payback
- 7.6 yrs
Winona State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $70,012 in 6.9 years versus 7.6 years at Dakota County Technical College, on median earnings of $58,532 vs $51,938 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Winona State University | Dakota County Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,503 | $13,548 |
| Total net cost | $70,012 | $27,096 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,532 | $51,938 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $11,000 |
| Payback | 6.9 yrs | 7.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $133,428 | $44,464 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Winona State University or Dakota County Technical College?
Dakota County Technical College, at $13,548 a year after aid versus $17,503 — a gap of $3,955 a year, or $42,916 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 Winona State University or Dakota County Technical College graduates earn more?
Winona State University graduates report a median $58,532 ten years after entry, $6,594 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, Winona State University or Dakota County Technical College?
Dakota County Technical College: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Winona State University, a difference of $10,500. 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 57% at Winona 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.