South Central College
#3 Most Affordable Colleges in Minnesota- Graduation Rate
- 34% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $45,068 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $9,082 B+
- 47% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 1,946
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 27.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $27.9 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Most Affordable Colleges in Minnesota.
Every $1 spent returns $27.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $977,743.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduation of 34% — 41% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $27.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why South Central College Matters
South Central College is a public community college in North Mankato, MN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 1,946
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Precision Production, Business & Marketing
Why students choose South Central College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $9,082 a year after grants and scholarships — 47% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $45,068 ten years after enrolling — 11% above the typical college, against $12,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.41 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With around 1,946 students, South Central College in North Mankato, MN, is an excellent fit for those looking to dive into practical fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, or Computer Science & IT. The college is known for its focus on hands-on learning, which can be a big plus for students who thrive in an interactive environment. The diverse program offerings mean that whether you’re interested in the arts or technology, there’s something here for you.
Looking at what students earn after graduation, the average salary ten years post-degree is about $45,068. That’s a solid start for many graduates, especially considering the net price of attending is around $9,082 after financial aid. With 33% of students receiving Pell Grants, affordability is within reach for many, which helps ease the burden of financial stress as they transition into their careers.
In terms of financial health, graduates leave with a median debt of $12,000, which is manageable compared to potential earnings. This setup tends to favor students who value practical skills and seek stable job prospects. Those who thrive here are often self-motivated and ready to take advantage of the resources available to them, which can lead to rewarding futures in their chosen fields.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective South Central College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into South Central College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in North Mankato, Minnesota, South Central College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 34%.
- Retention Rate
- 59%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 48%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,318
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.56
- First-Gen Students
- 37%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend South Central College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at South Central College is $6,146, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,082. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,470 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $12,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $6,146
- Out-of-State
- $6,146
- Avg Net Price
- $9,082
- Median Debt
- $12,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 33%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 20%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $6,470
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $8,439
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $9,368
- Family Income $110K+
- $15,132
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at South Central College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is South Central College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of South Central College earn a median of $45,068, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $40,637
- 8 Years
- $44,025
- 10 Years
- $45,068
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.27x
- Earning > $25K
- 63%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (77)
- 21%
- 100% (77)
- 21%
- 100% (77)
- 21%
- 100% (77)
- 21%
How South Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is South Central College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, South Central College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $9,082/year ($36,328 total). Graduates earn $45,068 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,014,071 in total earnings — a net gain of $977,743 (27.9× your investment). The median debt is $12,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 34% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $36,328
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,014,071
- Net Return
- $977,743
- ROI Multiple
- 27.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $9,082
- Median Debt
- $12,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 34%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $2,247,000
- Investment Income
- $28,000
Top Programs
The fields South Central College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Humanities 19%
- Health Professions 18% $63,697 early-career
- Precision Production 12% $48,945 early-career
- Business & Marketing 11% $42,825 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 8% $50,714 early-career
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 6% $54,760 early-career
- Construction Trades 1%
- Social Sciences 1%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for South Central College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into South Central College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in North Mankato, Minnesota, South Central College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 34%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend South Central College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at South Central College is $6,146, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,082. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,470 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $12,000 in federal student loans.
Is South Central College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of South Central College earn a median of $45,068, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is South Central College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at South Central College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.41, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to South Central College.
- Honolulu Community CollegeHonolulu, HI · Close peer30% grad $45,105 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Minnesota North CollegeHibbing, MN · Close peer42% grad $45,570 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Eastern Maine Community CollegeBangor, ME · Close peer33% grad $41,704 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Sussex County Community CollegeNewton, NJ · Close peer40% grad $44,664 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- SUNY AdirondackQueensbury, NY · Close peer33% grad $41,267 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Ridgewater CollegeWillmar, MN · Close peer48% grad $43,827 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is South Central College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at South Central College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.41, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note