Do Students Succeed at Minnesota West Community and Technical College?
Student success metrics for Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Granite Falls, MN: graduation, transfer, and retention data.
Student Success at Minnesota West Community and Technical College at a Glance
Minnesota West Community and Technical College is a public institution offering at least 2 but less than 4 years programs located in Granite Falls, MN. Current enrollment is 3,695 students.
- 51.6% overall graduation rate (IPEDS)
- 47.6% of all entering students earn their award within 8 years
- 56% of exiters from its largest program (Communication Studies Transfer Pathway) were employed within 6 months — verified by the U.S. Department of Labor
- DOL-verified median earnings of $5,487 per quarter after exiting Communication Studies Transfer Pathway
- 914 graduates across 120 programs in 2024
- VA-approved for GI Bill benefits — 42 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 West 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication Studies Transfer Pathway | 27% | 56% | 56% | $5,487 |
| English Transfer Pathway | 27% | 56% | 56% | $5,487 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 27% | 56% | 56% | $5,487 |
| Mass Communication Transfer Pathway | 27% | 56% | 56% | $5,487 |
| Mathematics Transfer Pathway | 27% | 56% | 56% | $5,487 |
| Nursing Assistant | 100% | 82% | 81% | $3,810 |
| Individualized Studies | 1% | 77% | 75% | $9,074 |
| Advanced Farm Business Management | 59% | 25% | 20% | $11,593 |
| Agricultural Commodities Marketing | 59% | 25% | 20% | $11,593 |
| Applications in Farm Business Management | 59% | 25% | 20% | $11,593 |
| Current Issues in Farm Business Management | 59% | 25% | 20% | $11,593 |
| Essentials of Farm Business Management | 59% | 25% | 20% | $11,593 |
| Farm Business Management | 59% | 25% | 20% | $11,593 |
| Nursing | 64% | 85% | 86% | $14,308 |
| Business Management | 35% | 54% | 55% | $6,471 |
| Business Transfer Pathway | 35% | 54% | 55% | $6,471 |
| Practical Nursing | 54% | 82% | 80% | $6,878 |
| Powerline | 86% | 62% | 61% | $9,712 |
| Welding | 76% | 73% | 69% | $7,097 |
| Radiologic Technology | 47% | 66% | 70% | $9,364 |
| Electrician | 53% | 74% | 74% | $8,248 |
| Cosmetology | 66% | 68% | 53% | $3,145 |
| Cosmetology-Other States | 66% | 68% | 53% | $3,145 |
| Lamb and Wool Management | 13% | 17% | 22% | $15,594 |
| Community Health Worker | 78% | 80% | 74% | $10,656 |
| Medical Coding Specialist | 53% | 57% | 55% | $6,508 |
| Accountant | 33% | 76% | 75% | $7,318 |
| Law Enforcement | 77% | 78% | 86% | $10,730 |
| Law Enforcement Transfer Pathway | 77% | 78% | 86% | $10,730 |
| Administrative Assistant | 44% | 61% | 63% | $7,737 |
| Office Management | 44% | 61% | 63% | $7,737 |
| Advanced Diesel | 81% | 66% | 72% | $11,341 |
| Basic Diesel | 81% | 66% | 72% | $11,341 |
| Diesel Mechanics (Ag and Truck) | 81% | 66% | 72% | $11,341 |
| Diesel Powertrain and Hydraulics | 81% | 66% | 72% | $11,341 |
| Diesel Technician (Ag and Truck) | 81% | 66% | 72% | $11,341 |
| Medical Laboratory Technician | 71% | 52% | 53% | $11,065 |
| Mechatronics | 76% | 78% | 77% | $14,496 |
| Dental Assistant | 40% | 70% | 70% | $5,823 |
| Automotive Technician | 77% | 75% | 64% | $7,407 |
| Computer and Networking Technology | 38% | 65% | 69% | $7,150 |
| Health Information Technology | 18% | 59% | 58% | $5,706 |
| Surgical Technology | 47% | 55% | 58% | $8,445 |
| Carpentry | 89% | 48% | 67% | $6,055 |
| Carpentry II | 89% | 48% | 67% | $6,055 |
| Management and Supervision in Healthcare | 34% | 58% | 58% | $10,499 |
| Accounting | 51% | 71% | 68% | $7,080 |
| Early Childhood | 56% | 72% | 65% | $4,043 |
| Healthcare Administrative Assistant | 35% | 68% | 69% | $8,382 |
| Biofuels Technology Biodiesel | 93% | — | — | — |
| Biofuels Technology Ethanol | 93% | — | — | — |
| Medical Assistant | 41% | 76% | 76% | $6,742 |
| Agriculture Business | 30% | 57% | 52% | $6,198 |
| Agriculture Business Management and Marketing | 30% | 57% | 52% | $6,198 |
| Powerline Technology | 51% | 74% | 68% | $9,929 |
| Diesel Technology | 51% | 68% | 67% | $9,860 |
| Information Security and Assurance | 52% | 59% | 63% | $6,688 |
| Agriculture Production | 44% | 24% | 36% | $6,198 |
| Agriculture Production Management | 44% | 24% | 36% | $6,198 |
| Heating Technology | 96% | 57% | 46% | $11,458 |
| Nail Technician | 85% | 59% | 61% | $5,929 |
| Plumbing and Heating Technology | 96% | 57% | 46% | $11,458 |
| Plumbing Technology | 96% | 57% | 46% | $11,458 |
| Esthetician | 70% | 65% | 55% | $2,350 |
| Education Paraprofessional | 75% | 57% | 65% | $3,893 |
| Elementary Education Foundations Transfer Pathway | — | 75% | 75% | $7,373 |
| Management | 48% | 57% | 60% | $8,586 |
| Phlebotomy Technician | 45% | 75% | 75% | $4,756 |
| Wind Energy Technology | 46% | 85% | 77% | $11,165 |
| Pharmacy Technician | 50% | 56% | 43% | $5,493 |
| Pharmacy Technology | 50% | 56% | 43% | $5,493 |
| Manufacturing Production Technician | 76% | 86% | 76% | $9,674 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Technician | 100% | 65% | 43% | $12,510 |
| Agriculture | 38% | 69% | 75% | $4,454 |
| Fluid Power Technology | 67% | 72% | 75% | $14,436 |
| Mechatronics Fluid Power Specialist | 67% | 72% | 75% | $14,436 |
| Computerizing Small Business | 43% | 71% | 71% | $9,691 |
| Computer Support Technician | 40% | 73% | 64% | $7,460 |
| Production Agriculture | 36% | 55% | 40% | $3,176 |
| Emergency Medical Services | — | 85% | 85% | $6,324 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | — | 85% | 85% | $6,324 |
| Computer Maintenance and Repair | 64% | 86% | 86% | $8,293 |
| Electric Utility Substation Technology | 45% | 45% | 45% | $10,259 |
| Information Technology | 64% | 86% | 86% | $8,293 |
| Industrial Technology II | 85% | 77% | 69% | $14,693 |
| Law Enforcement Skills | 69% | 69% | 85% | $9,538 |
| Receptionist | 56% | 78% | 63% | $5,536 |
| Wind Energy Mechanic | 36% | 73% | 73% | $6,992 |
| Windsmith | 36% | 73% | 73% | $6,992 |
| Accounting Clerk | 38% | 75% | 86% | $7,737 |
| CISCO Networking | 80% | 30% | 40% | $10,757 |
| Healthcare Supervision and Leadership | 50% | 100% | 100% | $11,229 |
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 West Community and Technical College?
Unlike the program-level results above, the figures below cover all students at Minnesota West Community and Technical College, tracked over eight years by the federal IPEDS survey.
Overall Completion Rate
47.6%
Working Student Success
54.6%
Transfer Out Rate
23.3%
Still Enrolled Rate
0.2%
How Minnesota West Community and Technical College Compares
A completion rate of 48% places Minnesota West Community and Technical College in the typical zone for trade colleges. 0% are still enrolled, meaning the final completion picture continues to evolve — this is a metric where a school's profile changes over time as cohorts mature.
What Happens After Students Enroll at Minnesota West Community and Technical College?
Eight-Year Student Outcomes
Eight-year outcomes for students who entered Minnesota West 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 55.4% 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 West 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 20.5% 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 West 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 (54.6% vs 40.8% 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 West Community and Technical College?
Tracking outcomes for the 2015-16 cohort of 710 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 Part-time Students
All First-time Transfer Students
All First-time Students
Full-time First-time Students
Full-time First-time Transfer Students
Part-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.