Dakota County Technical College
A strong choice. It ranks 44 of 812 two-year colleges on student outcomes, with an overall score of 72.9 out of 100.
These three answers are rules of thumb from the numbers below, not advice for any one student or major.
What do students really think?
You have seen the federal numbers for Dakota County Technical College. Now hear from people who went there, or add your own experience. Anonymous, no account.
Would you choose it again? That is the first question the rating form asks.
Why it is good
- 52% of students graduate, better than 77% of two-year colleges.
- Students stay: 74% of first-year students return for a second year, better than 77% of two-year colleges.
- Strong pay: typical earnings ten years after starting are $56,812, higher than 87% of two-year colleges.
- Debt is manageable: graduates owe a typical $11,000 in federal loans against earnings of $56,812.
Why it is bad
- Expensive: the average student pays about $20,329 a year after grants, more than at 78% of two-year colleges.
The numbers
What these figures measure
Graduation rate: share of all students, full-time or part-time, who finish within 8 years. Return for year 2: share of first-time, full-time students who come back for a second year. Earnings: median pay about 10 years after starting, for students who received federal aid. Debt: median federal loan debt among those who finish. Net price: average yearly cost after grants and scholarships. All from the U.S. Education Department College Scorecard, institution file dated November 2, 2026.
Programs and early earnings
Associate degrees: largest programs
| Field | Graduates a year | Earnings, 2 yrs after | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 67 | $44,858 | $11,734 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | 47 | $47,260 | $12,000 |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians | 37 | n/a | $11,677 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 36 | $44,542 | $23,750 |
| Design and Applied Arts | 26 | $29,685 | n/a |
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians | 19 | $60,771 | n/a |
Certificates and diplomas: largest programs
| Field | Graduates a year | Earnings, 2 yrs after | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 84 | $43,240 | $9,500 |
| Precision Metal Working | 54 | $38,829 | $5,500 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | 38 | $47,494 | $9,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 38 | n/a | n/a |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 34 | $41,025 | n/a |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | 20 | $36,668 | $10,500 |
Earnings are the median pay two years after completing, for graduates who were working and not enrolled again. The federal government hides figures for small programs, shown as n/a. Fields are broad groups, so a college may offer several majors inside one.
Students and reviews
Numbers cannot tell you about teaching, dorms or campus life. Read and write anonymous student reviews for Dakota County Technical College, or ask and answer questions about it. Other sources:
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The grade reflects outcomes for the average student compared with other two-year colleges. Individual majors can be much better or worse.