Head-to-head · 2026
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota vs South Central College
Compare average net price ($11,704 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota; $9,082 at South Central College), ROI score (12.43 vs 12.41), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($58,170 vs $45,068), and admissions context (92.8% at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota; Open / not reported at South Central College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | South Central College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 12.43 ✓ | 12.41 |
| Avg net price | $11,704 | $9,082 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $46,816 | $36,328 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $45,080 | $6,146 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $45,080 | $6,146 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $58,170 ✓ | $45,068 |
| Acceptance rate | 92.8% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 66% ✓ | 39.1% |
| Retention rate | 74.6% ✓ | 59% |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $12,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,073 | 1,946 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | South Central College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $16,182 | $6,470 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $15,175 | $8,439 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,030 | $9,368 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $14,771 | $10,947 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $6,135 ✓ | $15,132 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | South Central College |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 16.8% | 3.1% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2.6% | 7.1% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.1% | 3.7% |
| Social Work | 4.6% | 2% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 1% | 5.1% |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | 0.1% | 5.1% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 3.8% | 0.5% |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 1.1% | 2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
South Central College reports the lower average net price by $2,622 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $10,488 difference over four years ($36,328 vs $46,816).
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota reports $13,102 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($58,170 vs $45,068). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 74.6% at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and 59% at South Central College. Median federal debt among completers is $21,500 vs $12,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota vs South Central College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
South Central College is cheaper — average net price $9,082 per year vs $11,704 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. The annual difference of $2,622 adds up to about $10,488 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $58,170 vs $45,068 at South Central College. The gap in the federal data is $13,102. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.