At $15,548/yr net price, Minnesota State College Southeast graduates earn $43,613/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $9,613/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,548 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $62,192 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $43,613/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$9,613/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 51.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,971 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,307/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,296/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,650/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,058/yr |
| $110,001+ | $19,774/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $57,544 | $20,752 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $53,775 | |
| Ground Transportation. | Certificate | $46,087 | |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $44,189 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $39,009 | $9,500 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Associate | $37,208 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $35,060 | $13,935 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Certificate | $33,281 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $31,423 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $31,314 |
The Risk Factor
51.3% of students at Minnesota State College Southeast graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Minnesota State College Southeast gives you a mixed financial picture that leans practical. The median graduate earns $43,613 ten years out while carrying under $13,000 in debt, so you leave with a manageable loan balance for a two-year school. The earnings won't make you rich, but they stay comfortably ahead of what you borrow.
Nursing is the clear payoff here. The associate nursing track leads earnings at $57,544, roughly $14,000 above the school's median, and allied health follows close behind. Both put you into Winona-area healthcare jobs that reliably hire. The tradeoff: nursing carries the highest debt on the list at $20,752, so you borrow more to earn more.
The trades tell a different story. Precision metal working pays less than nursing but leaves you with only $9,500 in debt, one of the cheapest routes to a stable wage. Ground transportation and drafting land in the middle. These certificate and associate paths fit you if you want to finish fast, keep debt low, and step into regional manufacturing or transport work.
The risk is the 51% graduation rate. Half of students don't finish, and if you're one of them you pay the net price without the credential that justifies it. That's the single biggest threat to your return at this school.
The net price tiers work backwards from what you'd expect. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $12,000 to $13,000 a year. Earn over $110,000 and you pay nearly $20,000. Lower-income families get a real discount here.
This school fits you if you're targeting nursing, healthcare, or a specific trade and want to keep debt small. Look elsewhere if you want a general degree without a clear job at the end, since the payoff depends on picking a program that leads directly to regional employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Minnesota State College Southeast worth the money?
Minnesota State College Southeast offers decent value for healthcare programs, with nursing graduates earning $57,544 annually against relatively low debt of $12,971. However, the 51% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish, which increases financial risk.
What programs at Minnesota State College Southeast have the best ROI?
Nursing programs provide the strongest return, with graduates earning $57,544 compared to the $15,548 annual cost. Allied health programs also perform well at $53,775 in earnings, while other technical programs like transportation and metalworking offer more modest returns.
How much debt do Minnesota State College Southeast graduates typically have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $12,971, which is manageable compared to four-year colleges. This low debt load helps improve the overall financial picture, especially for nursing and healthcare graduates who earn higher salaries.
What are the job prospects after Minnesota State College Southeast?
Healthcare graduates face strong job markets with nursing roles paying $57,544 annually. Technical programs like transportation ($46,087) and drafting ($44,189) offer steady but more modest earning potential in Minnesota's job market.