Head-to-head · 2026
South Central College vs University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Compare average net price ($9,082 at South Central College; $16,778 at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities), ROI score (12.41 vs 10.28), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($45,068 vs $69,020), and admissions context (Open / not reported at South Central College; 79.8% at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities) 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 | South Central College | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 12.41 ✓ | 10.28 |
| Avg net price | $9,082 ✓ | $16,778 |
| 4-year avg net price | $36,328 ✓ | $67,112 |
| In-state tuition | $6,146 | $17,214 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $6,146 | $38,362 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $45,068 | $69,020 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 79.8% |
| Graduation rate | 39.1% | 85.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 59% | 91.1% ✓ |
| Median debt | $12,000 ✓ | $19,500 |
| Enrollment | 1,946 | 31,855 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1362 |
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 | South Central College | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,470 ✓ | $6,642 |
| Family income $30–48k | $8,439 | $7,283 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,368 ✓ | $9,931 |
| Family income $75–110k | $10,947 ✓ | $16,415 |
| Family income $110k+ | $15,132 ✓ | $27,008 |
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 | South Central College | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 16.2% | 0% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 7.1% | 2.8% |
| Agricultural Business and Management | 9% | 0.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3.1% | 4.7% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 5.1% | 2.3% |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | 5.1% | 0.2% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.7% | 1.3% |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | 3.2% | 0.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
South Central College reports the lower average net price by $7,696 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $30,784 difference over four years ($36,328 vs $67,112).
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities reports $23,952 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($69,020 vs $45,068). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 59% at South Central College and 91.1% at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Median federal debt among completers is $12,000 vs $19,500, 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
South Central College vs University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 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 $16,778 at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. The annual difference of $7,696 adds up to about $30,784 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $69,020 vs $45,068 at South Central College. The gap in the federal data is $23,952. 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.