Do Students Succeed at Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
Student success metrics for Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls, MN: graduation, transfer, and retention data.
Student Success at Minnesota State Community and Technical College at a Glance
Minnesota State Community and Technical College is a public institution offering at least 2 but less than 4 years programs located in Fergus Falls, MN. Current enrollment is 5,645 students.
- 46.6% overall graduation rate (IPEDS)
- 39.1% of all entering students earn their award within 8 years
- 43% of exiters from its largest program (History Transfer Pathway) were employed within 6 months — verified by the U.S. Department of Labor
- DOL-verified median earnings of $4,695 per quarter after exiting History Transfer Pathway
- 992 graduates across 119 programs in 2024
- VA-approved for GI Bill benefits — 49 students used them here
Program-Level Results · Verified by the U.S. Department of Labor
Verified Program Outcomes
Completion and employment results reported to the U.S. Department of Labor for Minnesota State Community and Technical College programs on the state Eligible Training Provider List. Missing values ("—") mean the state suppressed or did not report that metric — they never mean zero.
| Program | Completion rate | Employed 6 mo after exit | Employed 1 yr after exit | Median quarterly earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History Transfer Pathway | 41% | 43% | 45% | $4,695 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 41% | 43% | 45% | $4,695 |
| Political Science Transfer Pathway | 41% | 43% | 45% | $4,695 |
| Psychology Transfer Pathway | 41% | 43% | 45% | $4,695 |
| Nursing | 39% | 59% | 55% | $8,193 |
| Practical Nursing | 33% | 28% | 28% | $5,353 |
| Business: Management Marketing and Sales | 35% | 36% | 36% | $6,191 |
| Digital Marketing | 35% | 36% | 36% | $6,191 |
| Dental Hygiene | 26% | 37% | 36% | $5,901 |
| Business | 30% | 36% | 33% | $3,427 |
| Business Transfer Pathway | 30% | 36% | 33% | $3,427 |
| Electrical Technology | 66% | 51% | 52% | $9,518 |
| Accounting | 42% | 38% | 38% | $7,824 |
| Accounting Transfer Pathway | 42% | 38% | 38% | $7,824 |
| Information Technology | 40% | 31% | 32% | $7,571 |
| Electrical Line Worker Technology | 92% | 82% | 78% | $10,323 |
| Computer Programming | 34% | 33% | 33% | $6,755 |
| Human Resources | 56% | 41% | 42% | $8,035 |
| Criminal Justice | 44% | 41% | 38% | $6,543 |
| Radiologic Technology | 40% | 52% | 48% | $9,245 |
| Advanced HVAC R | 81% | 49% | 52% | $9,773 |
| Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning & Refrigeration | 81% | 49% | 52% | $9,773 |
| Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Refrigeration | 81% | 49% | 52% | $9,773 |
| Surgical Technology | 33% | 24% | 23% | $4,911 |
| Dental Assisting | 48% | 35% | 28% | $5,845 |
| Health Information Technology/Coding | 58% | 49% | 48% | $9,094 |
| Engineering | 36% | 24% | 21% | $4,636 |
| Construction Management | 46% | 34% | 31% | $7,803 |
| Automotive Service Technology | 38% | 18% | 19% | $8,635 |
| Biology Transfer Pathway | 24% | 23% | 22% | $3,779 |
| Diesel Equipment Technology | 62% | 39% | 37% | $11,621 |
| Medical Coding and Insurance | 55% | 42% | 40% | $6,940 |
| Accounting Clerk | 72% | 44% | 37% | $7,427 |
| Payroll Specialist | 72% | 44% | 37% | $7,427 |
| Cosmetology | 64% | 73% | 70% | $4,496 |
| Cosmetology (North Dakota) | 64% | 73% | 70% | $4,496 |
| Paralegal | 33% | 46% | 47% | $6,224 |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | 59% | 44% | 47% | $6,831 |
| Graphic Design | 48% | 24% | 23% | $4,152 |
| Sport Management | — | 32% | 32% | $2,646 |
| Cardiovascular Technology - Invasive | 34% | 28% | 32% | $6,064 |
| Medical Laboratory Technology | 50% | 50% | 55% | $6,994 |
| Massage Therapy | 83% | 64% | 67% | $6,046 |
| Child and Adolescent Therapeutic Behavioral Health | 47% | 35% | 37% | $3,916 |
| Architectural Drafting and Design | 69% | 56% | 56% | $8,989 |
| Plumbing Technology | 63% | 29% | 27% | $7,483 |
| Design and Engineering Technology | 57% | 29% | 26% | $8,042 |
| Business: Marketing and Sales | 28% | 41% | 54% | $4,913 |
| Early Childhood and Paraprofessional Education | 51% | 69% | 72% | $5,537 |
| American Sign Language Studies | 66% | 25% | 25% | $3,610 |
| Early Childhood Education Transfer Pathway | 64% | 71% | 70% | $6,295 |
| Business Entrepreneurship | 33% | 48% | 55% | $6,915 |
| PowerSports Technology | 48% | 69% | 73% | $7,372 |
| Business Administration | 22% | 49% | 30% | $3,831 |
| Administrative Office Assistant - Finance | 59% | 46% | 48% | $7,712 |
| Administrative Support | 59% | 46% | 48% | $7,712 |
| Autism Spectrum Disorder | 39% | 42% | 47% | $6,926 |
| Phlebotomy Technician | 53% | 59% | 67% | $6,627 |
| Advanced Practice Esthiology | 84% | 63% | 67% | $3,306 |
| Esthetician | 84% | 63% | 67% | $3,306 |
| Eyelash Extension Technician | 84% | 63% | 67% | $3,306 |
| Early Childhood | 39% | 44% | 48% | $4,559 |
| Civil Engineering Technology | 74% | 60% | 63% | $9,781 |
| Pre-professional Health | — | 31% | 31% | $4,734 |
| Medical Receptionist | 39% | 36% | 41% | $5,541 |
| Information Technology - Database Administration | — | 30% | 41% | $9,317 |
| Environmental Science | 19% | 35% | 38% | $2,578 |
| Administrative Office Assistant - Human Resources | 50% | 42% | 36% | $7,416 |
| Medical Assistant | 52% | 64% | 64% | $6,488 |
| Art Transfer Pathway | — | 50% | 56% | $4,965 |
| Music | 25% | 35% | 40% | $4,782 |
| Medical Office Assistant | 44% | 52% | 54% | $5,824 |
| Cisco Networking | 44% | 50% | 64% | $9,340 |
| Individualized Studies | — | 42% | 50% | $8,096 |
| Nail Technician | 73% | 73% | 60% | $4,246 |
| Limited Scope Radiography | 50% | 60% | 60% | $4,167 |
| Fire/Emergency Medical Technician Technologies | 26% | — | 16% | — |
| Theatre Transfer Pathway | — | 70% | 80% | $3,994 |
| Survey Technician | 50% | 67% | 58% | $7,671 |
| Correctional Officer | 56% | 44% | 50% | $6,397 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, WIOA participant outcomes (trainingproviderresults.gov), PY 2023.
College-Wide Statistics · IPEDS Federal Survey
What Are the Student Outcomes at Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
Unlike the program-level results above, the figures below cover all students at Minnesota State Community and Technical College, tracked over eight years by the federal IPEDS survey.
Overall Completion Rate
39.1%
Working Student Success
42%
Transfer Out Rate
23.9%
Still Enrolled Rate
0.9%
How Minnesota State Community and Technical College Compares
39% completion at Minnesota State Community and Technical College is mid-pack for the trade-school landscape. The 24% transfer-out rate adds important context — many trade students intentionally use their first credential as a stepping stone to a four-year school, so transfer often signals success rather than dropout.
What Happens After Students Enroll at Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
Eight-Year Student Outcomes
Eight-year outcomes for students who entered Minnesota State Community and Technical College. This shows what happened to students in their cohort by the end of the tracking period.
Understanding These Outcomes
Completed: Students who earned a certificate, diploma, or degree from this institution.
Still Enrolled: Students who remain enrolled at this institution after the tracking period.
Transferred Out: Students who transferred to another institution and may have completed there.
No Award: Students who left without earning a credential and are not enrolled elsewhere.
Combined completion and transfer rate of 51.0% indicates strong student success pathways.
These outcomes track what happened to students eight years after they first enrolled. Completion rates include certificates, diplomas, and degrees earned at this institution. Transfer rates show students who continued their education at other colleges. Understanding these pathways helps prospective students set realistic expectations and plan their educational journey.
What Are the Transfer and Continuation Patterns at Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
Success Rates by Student Entry Pathway
Comparing completion rates across different student entry pathways helps understand which groups succeed and how transfer experience impacts outcomes.
Key Insights
First-time and transfer students achieve similar completion rates, indicating equitable support regardless of entry pathway.
Combined 21.5% transfer-out rate suggests this institution may serve as a stepping stone for students continuing their education elsewhere.
Cohort Composition
Understanding Student Pathways
First-Time Students: Beginning postsecondary education for the first time at this institution.
Transfer-In Students: Previously attended another postsecondary institution before enrolling here.
Continuing Students: Returned to this institution after a break in enrollment.
Completion rates tracked over 8 years from initial entry.
Different student entry pathways lead to varying success rates. First-time students enter directly from high school or are starting college for the first time. Transfer students bring prior college experience and credits. Understanding these patterns helps you identify which pathway aligns best with your situation and predict your likelihood of success.
What Are the Completion Rates by Student Type at Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
What does this mean for you? These completion rates show how different types of students succeed at this institution. Notably, part-time students have a higher success rate here (42% vs 36.2% for full-time), which is great news if you plan to work while studying. This pattern is common at trade colleges where programs are designed to accommodate working adults. First-time students are those new to college, while transfer students have attended another institution before.
What Are the Cohort Outcomes Over Time at Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
Tracking outcomes for the 2015-16 cohort of 2,076 students
After 4 Years
After 6 Years
After 8 Years (Final)
Final Student Status
Completion Breakdown by Cohort
Part-time First-time Transfer Students
Part-time First-time Students
All First-time Transfer Students
All First-time Students
Full-time First-time Transfer Students
All Part-time Students
Full-time First-time Students
Full-time Non-first-time Transfer Students
Time to Completion
About This Data
Outcome measures data tracks student cohorts over 4, 6, and 8-year periods. Data is sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) and reflects the most recent available reporting year.