South Central College: $6,146 Tuition

$6,146Tuition

1,890Students

29%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$45,068Earnings

Public2-yearData: 2023-24

About South Central College

This community and technical college serves 1,890 students in the Minnesota River Valley, focusing on career-ready programs that connect directly to local industries. The school specializes in hands-on training for fields like manufacturing, healthcare, and business, with strong ties to regional employers who regularly hire graduates. Nearly 99% of students come from Minnesota, creating a tight-knit community where classmates often become professional networks.

Students pay an average net price of $10,314 after aid, making this one of the more affordable pathways to career training in the state. Graduates earn a median of $45,068 ten years after starting, while carrying typical debt loads of just $12,000. The monthly loan payment averages $127, which represents a manageable burden given the earning potential. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay only $8,070 net price, making career advancement accessible regardless of background.

The school maintains a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, ensuring personal attention in technical programs. About 94% of graduates find employment, reflecting the practical focus of the curriculum. Women make up 56% of enrollment, bucking the trend at many technical colleges. The 28.6% six-year graduation rate reflects the reality that many students transfer or enter the workforce before completing degrees.

Academics & Faculty

South Central College operates as a community and technical college serving southern Minnesota with career-focused programs. The school maintains a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, providing more individualized attention than many larger institutions. However, the 28.6% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face balancing work, family, and education. The college is known for its strong technical programs in manufacturing, healthcare, and skilled trades that directly feed into the regional economy. Students can complete certificates and associate degrees designed to get them into the workforce quickly. Nearly all students are Minnesota residents (98.5%), creating a tight-knit campus community where students often know their instructors personally and receive hands-on training in state-of-the-art facilities.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Full-Time Faculty: 49.7%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 28.6%
Median Earnings (10 years): $45,068

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$58,673
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$53,608
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$51,482
Agricultural Mechanization.	Certificate	$49,644
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR).	Associate	$46,087
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions.	Associate	$43,798
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications.	Associate	$42,682
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR).	Certificate	$42,682
Precision Metal Working.	Associate	$41,193
Precision Metal Working.	Certificate	$41,193

View all 72 programs →

Campus Life

South Central College sits in North Mankato, just across the river from Mankato and about 80 miles southwest of Minneapolis. With 98.54% of students coming from Minnesota, this feels like a truly local campus where you'll likely bump into high school classmates. The 1,890-student enrollment keeps class sizes manageable with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio.

Winter coats are essential here, where temperatures regularly drop below freezing from December through February. The campus has a practical, no-frills atmosphere focused on getting students job-ready quickly. As a community and technical college, most students commute rather than live on campus, creating a Monday-through-Friday energy that quiets on weekends. The 93.8% employment rate reflects the school's strong connections with local employers in healthcare, manufacturing, and trades. Students often work part-time while attending, with many balancing family responsibilities alongside their studies. The diverse student body includes 13.65% Black students and 14.23% Hispanic students, creating a more multicultural environment than many rural Minnesota communities.

Setting: Suburb-Small
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 4°–24°F
July Avg: 61°–82°F
Annual Precipitation: 32.3"
Annual Snowfall: -739.1"

Student Demographics

South Central College draws overwhelmingly from Minnesota communities, with nearly all students staying close to home for their education. The student body reflects the school's mission as a community and technical college serving working families. Women slightly outnumber men, typical for health and human services programs that the college emphasizes. The diverse enrollment includes significant Black and Hispanic populations alongside white students. One in three students receives Pell Grants, showing the college's role in providing affordable career training for students from modest economic backgrounds.

Men: 44.1%
Women: 55.9%
White: 62.9%
Black: 13.7%
Hispanic: 14.2%
Asian: 1.3%
In-State Students: 98.5%
Pell Grant Recipients: 32.5%

Location

South Central College sits in North Mankato, Minnesota, about 80 miles southwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The school serves 1,890 students in this small suburban community along the Minnesota River. North Mankato pairs with neighboring Mankato to form a regional center in south-central Minnesota's agricultural heartland. The area blends small-town charm with college energy from nearby Minnesota State University Mankato. Students find affordable living costs that complement the college's $6,146 tuition rate for both in-state and out-of-state residents. The region offers outdoor recreation along the river valleys and easy access to the Twin Cities for internships or weekend trips. Students considering colleges in Minnesota may also compare South Central College with similar schools in the region.

Address: North Mankato, Minnesota 56003-1920

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $45,068
Median Earnings (5 years): $49,648
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $31,800
Loan Repayment Rate: 51.0%
Monthly Loan Payment: $127/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $12,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at South Central College?

South Central College maintains open enrollment as a community and technical college, welcoming students with varied educational backgrounds. The school serves 1,890 students with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. Nearly 99% of students come from Minnesota, making it a local education center for career training and transfer programs.

How much does South Central College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $10,314 annually, though costs vary by family income. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $8,070 after aid, while higher-income families above $110,000 pay $14,525. The college charges the same $6,146 tuition rate for both in-state and out-of-state students.

What academic programs is South Central College known for?

South Central College specializes in career-focused technical programs and workforce development training. The college operates on a semester calendar system with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio for hands-on learning. Students can pursue both certificate programs and associate degrees designed to meet local industry needs.

What are the job prospects after graduating from South Central College?

Graduates achieve a strong 93.8% employment rate, reflecting the college's focus on practical career training. Alumni earn a median salary of $45,068 ten years after graduation with typical student loan debt of just $12,000. Monthly loan payments average $127, making the education investment manageable for most graduates.

Where is South Central College located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in North Mankato, Minnesota, a small suburban setting that serves the south-central region of the state. With 55.9% women and 44.1% men enrolled, the student body reflects a diverse mix of ages typical of community colleges. The college draws almost exclusively from Minnesota, creating a tight-knit local community atmosphere.

Does South Central College offer good financial aid support?

About 32.5% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating significant need-based aid for low-income students. However, only 8.5% receive institutional grants averaging $4,802, as the college relies primarily on federal aid programs. The 22.5% federal loan rate is relatively low, suggesting many students can afford the education without borrowing heavily.