South Central College
Students in the Faribault and Mankato areas have a two-campus PSEO option in South Central College, a community and technical college with locations in Faribault and North Mankato. Juniors qualify with a 3.0 GPA — or, failing that, a top-third class rank or a 70th percentile standardized test score; for seniors the marks are a 2.5 GPA, a top-half rank, or the 50th percentile. Sophomores can get in too, through an 850 or higher on the 8th grade MCA Reading test.
GPA Requirements
Juniors (11th Grade)
Seniors (12th Grade)
Program Details
About the PSEO program
Students in the Faribault and Mankato areas have a two-campus PSEO option in South Central College, a community and technical college with locations in Faribault and North Mankato. Juniors qualify with a 3.0 GPA — or, failing that, a top-third class rank or a 70th percentile standardized test score; for seniors the marks are a 2.5 GPA, a top-half rank, or the 50th percentile. Sophomores can get in too, through an 850 or higher on the 8th grade MCA Reading test.
One thing that sets SCC apart is its timeline. Rather than publishing a single hard application deadline, the college has stated it honors each school district's requirements, so your real clock is your district's calendar plus the state notification dates of May 30 for fall and October 30 for spring. That flexibility helps students who decide on dual enrollment later than their peers.
SCC's NOSR process is also simpler than most: the college has students complete the form with typed names in the signature fields, then route it through their high school counselor, who forwards it to the college. If paperwork is the thing standing between you and free college classes, this is one of the gentler processes in southern Minnesota.
Why choose South Central College for PSEO
Three ways to qualify
GPA is not your only route. Juniors can use a 3.0 GPA, top 33 percent class rank, or a 70th percentile standardized test score; seniors can use a 2.5 GPA, top 50 percent rank, or a 50th percentile score. Strong test-takers with average grades still have a path.
A sophomore CTE pathway
Tenth graders with an 850 or higher on the 8th grade MCA Reading test can start PSEO at SCC with the one career and technical education course state law allows them, a full year before most colleges would even look at their application.
District-friendly timeline
SCC has said it honors each district's requirements rather than imposing its own application cutoff, which gives late deciders more breathing room than colleges with rigid dates.
Two campuses in southern Minnesota
With locations in both Faribault and North Mankato, students along the I-35 and Highway 14 corridors can pick whichever campus makes their drive shorter.
Counselor-routed paperwork
Your NOSR goes to your high school counselor, who forwards it to SCC, so the college and your school stay coordinated without you playing messenger.
Programs & courses
General education and transfer courses
English, math, psychology, and other MNTC courses that form the backbone of most PSEO schedules and transfer across Minnesota's public colleges and universities.
Career and technical education
SCC confirms CTE availability for PSEO students, spanning applied and technical fields, and covering the single CTE course sophomores are allowed in their first semester.
Agriculture-related coursework
Serving a strongly agricultural region, SCC offers applied programs that let farm-country students earn credit in fields connected to careers actually hiring near home.
Health sciences foundations
Introductory courses that let students test-drive nursing and health careers before committing to a competitive four-year program.
Business and accounting
Entry-level business courses that count toward both high school graduation and a future business degree.
Campus & getting there
South Central College operates two campuses about 45 minutes apart: one in Faribault, just off I-35 south of the Twin Cities, and one in North Mankato, across the river from Minnesota State University Mankato. Most PSEO students drive or carpool, since both cities are compact and parking is straightforward compared to a metro campus. Students from Northfield, Owatonna, Waseca, St. Peter, and the surrounding small towns are all within realistic commuting range of one campus or the other.
Will my credits transfer?
As a Minnesota State system college, SCC builds its general education offerings around the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum, so goal-area courses you complete through PSEO transfer to any Minnesota State university and are recognized by the University of Minnesota. Minnesota Transfer Pathways can carry an associate degree directly into junior standing in a matching bachelor's program. Technical and career credits follow program-specific rules, so if a four-year degree is the goal, weight your schedule toward MNTC courses and confirm technical course transfer with your target school.
South Central College PSEO FAQ
Contact Information
Important Dates
Similar PSEO colleges
Compare South Central College with other Minnesota PSEO institutions.
Community/Technical
Riverland Community College
Albert Lea, Austin, Owatonna, MN
Min GPA: 2.5
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Rochester Community and Technical College
Rochester, MN
Min GPA: 3.0
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Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato, MN
Min GPA: 3.3
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Ridgewater College
Hutchinson, Willmar, MN
Min GPA: 3.0
View PSEO program