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Dakota County Technical College
Rosemount, MN 2,168 Undergrads 52.4% Grad Rate
Total Cost
$18,552
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$13,548
After Aid
Median Earnings
$59,518
4yr Post-Grad
Vs. Peer Institutions
Net Price$13,548
Peer Midpoint: $9,847
Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)Completers only after graduation
$59,518Peer Midpoint: $50,128
Earnings (10yr Post-Enroll)All enrolled after enrollment
$51,938Peer Midpoint: $40,451
Graduation Rate52.4%
Peer Midpoint: 34.6%
Average Starting Age26.1
Warning: High average starting age indicates non-traditional students with prior work experience, which may inflate the median earnings shown.
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients35.1%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time64.1%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS73.6%
Admissions Profile
Acceptance
100.0%
SAT Avg
-
SAT Reading
25th: --75th: -
SAT Math
25th: --75th: -
ACT Composite
25th: --75th: -
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$624k
+$109k
+$140k
Median Cost$14k/yr
+$599k
+$84k
+$115k
Full Cost$19k/yr
+$590k
+$75k
+$106k
ROI Efficiency Metrics⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
25
∞
Median Cost$14k/yr
28
462%
Full Cost$19k/yr
29
310%
Analysis Assumptions:
- Starting Salary: Estimated from the 4-year post-graduation median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).⚠️ Warning: The high average starting age or low completion rate may inflate the Median earnings and ROI shown.
- Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
- Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
- NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.
Social Impact ROINew⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.
Donor Return693%
Gov. Pell Grant ROINew⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.
Taxpayer Return121%
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Program ROI Analysis⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Certificates
Accounting and Related Services
CertCIP: 5203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,589
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
CertCIP: 5108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$41,355
Natl Median: $34,272
Lifetime Value Added
-$14k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
CertCIP: 5202
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$52,903
Natl Median: $47,440
Lifetime Value Added
+$110k
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services
CertCIP: 5204
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $32,681
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 1502
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,028
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Programming
CertCIP: 1102
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $56,556
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Software and Media Applications
CertCIP: 1108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,400
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
CertCIP: 1110
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $52,615
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
CertCIP: 5106
Median Debt
$6,500
Earnings (4yr)
$54,981
Natl Median: $33,673
Lifetime Value Added
+$132k
Design and Applied Arts
CertCIP: 5004
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $36,116
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers
CertCIP: 4603
Median Debt
$10,156
Earnings (4yr)
$89,494
Natl Median: $53,078
Lifetime Value Added
+$473k
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 1517
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,796
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
CertCIP: 5207
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,211
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
CertCIP: 5006
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $32,800
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Food Science and Technology
CertCIP: 0110
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $52,207
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations
CertCIP: 5218
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $52,001
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Health and Medical Administrative Services
CertCIP: 5107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $35,447
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)
CertCIP: 4702
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$65,334
Natl Median: $48,148
Lifetime Value Added
+$238k
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 4703
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,199
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Hospitality Administration/Management
CertCIP: 5209
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $40,962
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
CertCIP: 1907
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $31,135
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Human Resources Management and Services
CertCIP: 5210
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$62,340
Natl Median: $61,907
Lifetime Value Added
+$208k
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
CertCIP: 5139
Median Debt
$9,500
Earnings (4yr)
$52,977
Natl Median: $56,073
Lifetime Value Added
+$111k
Precision Metal Working
CertCIP: 4805
Median Debt
$5,500
Earnings (4yr)
$59,643
Natl Median: $48,702
Lifetime Value Added
+$180k
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
CertCIP: 3105
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $37,647
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 4706
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$63,459
Natl Median: $51,586
Lifetime Value Added
+$206k
Visual and Performing Arts, General
CertCIP: 5001
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $40,600
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Associate's Degrees
Accounting and Related Services
AssocCIP: 5203
Median Debt
$16,325
Earnings (4yr)
$46,455
Natl Median: $47,660
Lifetime Value Added
-$12k
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
AssocCIP: 5108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$40,772
Natl Median: $42,269
Lifetime Value Added
-$69k
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services
AssocCIP: 0106
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $45,283
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Business Administration, Management and Operations
AssocCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$18,599
Earnings (4yr)
$53,631
Natl Median: $48,733
Lifetime Value Added
+$59k
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services
AssocCIP: 5204
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $37,587
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1502
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$51,273
Natl Median: $64,519
Lifetime Value Added
+$56k
Computer Programming
AssocCIP: 1102
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,070
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Software and Media Applications
AssocCIP: 1108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,737
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
AssocCIP: 1110
Median Debt
$12,000
Earnings (4yr)
$61,512
Natl Median: $54,726
Lifetime Value Added
+$134k
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
AssocCIP: 5106
Median Debt
$6,500
Earnings (4yr)
$53,196
Natl Median: $61,982
Lifetime Value Added
+$54k
Design and Applied Arts
AssocCIP: 5004
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$38,868
Natl Median: $38,127
Lifetime Value Added
-$96k
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1513
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$62,459
Natl Median: $55,895
Lifetime Value Added
+$143k
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers
AssocCIP: 4603
Median Debt
$12,000
Earnings (4yr)
$82,544
Natl Median: $70,808
Lifetime Value Added
+$324k
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1504
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$88,817
Natl Median: $73,046
Lifetime Value Added
+$380k
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1517
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $67,276
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
AssocCIP: 5006
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $33,186
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations
AssocCIP: 5218
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $46,500
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Health and Medical Administrative Services
AssocCIP: 5107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$42,837
Natl Median: $37,073
Lifetime Value Added
-$56k
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 4703
Median Debt
$12,000
Earnings (4yr)
$89,205
Natl Median: $69,017
Lifetime Value Added
+$384k
Hospitality Administration/Management
AssocCIP: 5209
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$33,993
Natl Median: $41,099
Lifetime Value Added
-$124k
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
AssocCIP: 1907
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$25,194
Natl Median: $34,184
Lifetime Value Added
-$218k
Legal Support Services
AssocCIP: 2203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,669
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Management Information Systems and Services
AssocCIP: 5212
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $56,556
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Marketing
AssocCIP: 5214
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,264
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
AssocCIP: 3099
Median Debt
$12,000
Earnings (5yr)
$39,674
Natl Median: $50,491
Lifetime Value Added
-$88k
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
AssocCIP: 5139
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$56,146
Natl Median: $62,755
Lifetime Value Added
+$72k
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
AssocCIP: 3105
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $40,162
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 4706
Median Debt
$12,000
Earnings (4yr)
$60,744
Natl Median: $58,424
Lifetime Value Added
+$126k
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 0183
Median Debt
$10,295
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,460
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.
For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.