Food Science and Technology graduates from Dakota County Technical College earn $43,326 median salary — below the national average for this program.
Food Science and Technology at Dakota County Technical College
Rosemount, Minnesota • Certificate
What the IPEDS & College Scorecard Data Shows for Food Science and Technology at Dakota County Technical College
This page combines two federal data products: IPEDS institutional characteristics for Dakota County Technical College and the College Scorecard field-of-study (FOS) file for Food Science and Technology at the certificate credential level. The FOS file is keyed by CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs) code, which means earnings and debt figures here reflect only graduates of this specific program — not the school as a whole. IPEDS reports 19 completers in the most recent cohort for this program at Dakota County Technical College, the denominator behind the median earnings figure.
Median graduate earnings of $43,326 represent Treasury-verified wages approximately one year after program completion, drawn from Social Security Administration records linked to federal financial aid applicants. Compared to the national mean of $47,915 across all institutions offering Food Science and Technology, graduates here earn below the national average for this program. Across all programs at Dakota County Technical College, the mean median-earnings figure is $53,537, providing internal context for whether this specific field out-earns other options at the same institution.
Debt signals complete the ROI picture. Median federal debt is not separately reported for this program at this school.. Program-level debt and earnings come from the Department of Education’s College Scorecard FOS release, updated annually.
Earnings Comparison
Program Details
Debt & ROI
Food Science and Technology at Other Schools
| School | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|
| University of Kentucky | $69,286 | $20,481 |
| Dakota County Technical College (this school) | $43,326 | — |
| South College | $31,133 | — |
Other Programs at Dakota County Technical College
| Program | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | $89,494 | $10,156 |
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians | $89,205 | $12,000 |
| Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians | $88,817 | — |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | $82,544 | $12,000 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | $65,334 | — |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $62,459 | — |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $62,340 | — |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $61,512 | $12,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | $60,744 | $12,000 |
| Precision Metal Working | $59,643 | $5,500 |
Other Schools with Food Science and Technology
Quick picks offering the same program — compare side by side
About the Data
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Field of Study file. Earnings are median earnings for graduates after completion, drawn from U.S. Treasury tax records linked to federal financial aid applicants. Institutional characteristics come from IPEDS. Debt figures represent the median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation.
Debt-to-earnings ratio compares cumulative debt to annual earnings. A ratio below 1.0 indicates that annual earnings exceed total debt, generally considered favorable. Estimated monthly payments assume a standard 10-year repayment plan.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.