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South Central College

North Mankato, Minnesota · Public community college

CNC & machining programsDental assistant schoolsWelding schoolsHVAC schoolsAuto mechanic schoolsLPN / LVN programsPhlebotomy classesEMT & paramedic trainingCulinary & pastry schoolsMedical assistant programsConstruction trades programs
39%completion rate · Minnesota avg 48%
$12,000median debt of graduates
$40,637median earnings, 6 yrs after entry
$45,068median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
not reportedannual cost of attendance
Yesfederal aid (FAFSA / Pell) eligible
Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing | American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission (Accredited)
Address: 1920 Lee Blvd, North Mankato, MN 56003 · Phone: (507) 389-7200 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Accountability record (federal accreditation database, last 36 months; Department of Education oversight)
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Sanctions are probation, warning, show-cause and loss-of-accreditation actions by any recognized accreditor, including program-specific accreditors (a nursing-program probation counts for the campus). Routine monitoring reviews and voluntary withdrawals are not counted. Ask the school what the action concerned and how it was resolved.
Completion rate vs. benchmarks
South Central College South Central College: 39.1% 39.1% Minnesota average Minnesota average: 48.2% 48.2% National average National average: 62.1% 62.1%

What these trades pay once you're working

OccupationStarting (10th pct)MedianExperienced (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

ProgramCredentialGrads / yrEarnings, yr 1Earnings, yr 2Median 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.

Visit the school's website ↗

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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.

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