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South Central College
North Mankato, Minnesota · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 1920 Lee Blvd, North Mankato, MN 56003 · Phone: (507) 389-7200 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
South Central College is a public trade school in North Mankato, MN offering CNC & machining, dental assistant, and welding programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
South Central College's completion rate is 39.1%, below the Minnesota average of 48.2%, with median graduate debt of $12,000 and median earnings of $45,068 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for South Central College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, is accepted, and about 32.6% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machinists | $46,550 | $61,140 | $74,650 |
| Dental assistants | $46,960 | $65,270 | $74,410 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $45,690 | $60,280 | $65,410 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $48,220 | $76,350 | $87,190 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $38,310 | $58,390 | $73,250 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $51,700 | $63,750 | $71,270 |
| Phlebotomists | $38,740 | $46,000 | $48,760 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $31,340 | $48,090 | $52,940 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $48,400 | $62,600 | $75,960 |
| Medical assistants | $40,110 | $50,480 | $58,540 |
| Construction laborers | $42,950 | $60,260 | $79,710 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Minnesota (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 35 | $36,650 | $36,992 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 26 | $38,922 | $41,193 | $3,332 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 2–4 years | 22 | $38,922 | $41,193 | $3,332 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | $38,922 | $41,193 | $3,332 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | not reported | $39,369 | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 12 | $38,922 | $41,193 | $3,332 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | $42,682 | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 9 | not reported | $46,087 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | $51,482 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | $36,848 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 6 | $26,239 | $25,774 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 2–4 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 2–4 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | $41,193 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | $36,848 | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
South Central College is a public trade and career school in North Mankato, Minnesota, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with additional program-specific accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. The school participates in federal Title IV financial aid, meaning students can apply for FAFSA-based aid. Its most-awarded programs are CNC and machining programs, dental assistant training, and welding, part of a broader list of 22 program areas spanning fields like HVAC, automotive repair, LPN training, phlebotomy, EMT training, culinary arts, medical assisting, and construction trades.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 39.1%, which is below the Minnesota state average of 48.2%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $12,000, and median earnings 10 years after entry were reported at $45,068. About 32.6% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With a mix of short career-certificate programs and longer associate-degree pathways, this campus can suit both first-time students and adult career-changers, though specific program lengths and schedules should be confirmed directly with the school. Enrollment stands at 1,946 undergraduates in a small suburb setting. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and outcomes directly through the College Scorecard or by contacting the school.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
South Central College offers 22 program areas, most notably CNC and machining, dental assistant training, and welding, along with HVAC, automotive repair, LPN, phlebotomy, EMT, culinary, medical assisting, and construction trades programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with additional programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 39.1%, which is below the Minnesota state average of 48.2%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $12,000, per federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $45,068, per federal Scorecard data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
South Central College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition rates for state residents and access to state-supported programs compared to for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in the available data; contact the school at (507) 389-7200 or visit southcentral.edu to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and review federal outcome data directly at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?173911.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers both short career-certificate programs and longer associate-degree pathways, which can suit adult career-changers, though specific schedules and formats should be confirmed with the school directly.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact South Central College at (507) 389-7200 or through its website at https://southcentral.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative placement or ranking data against other nearby schools is not reported in federal data; check the College Scorecard for side-by-side comparisons.
Nearby trade and career schools in Minnesota
- Cdl Made SimpleKasota, MN
- Nova Academy of Cosmetology MankatoMankato, MN · career school
- Riverland Community CollegeAlbert Lea, MN
- Hennepin Technical CollegeBrooklyn Park, MN · 42% completion
- Century CollegeWhite Bear Lake, MN · 31% completion
- Saint Paul CollegeSaint Paul, MN · 40% completion
- Anoka Technical CollegeAnoka, MN · 67% completion
- Minnesota West Community and Technical CollegeGranite Falls, MN · 52% completion
See all trade and career schools in Minnesota or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.