Ridgewater College
About Ridgewater College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Ridgewater College teaches in Willmar and Hutchinson, in the farm country of west-central Minnesota. Nursing and veterinary technology are among its largest programs.
Founded
1996
Location
Willmar, Minnesota
Students
2,162
Institution
Community College
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
Open
Admits all qualified applicants
Graduation Rate
50.2%
Below national average
Tuition
$6,121
Per year
Avg Net Price
$10,046
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not required
No test scores requested
Median Earnings
$43,827
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Open Admission
Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate
How to Apply
Test Policy
No test needed
Application Fee
Free
Early
N/A
Deadline
Rolling
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Average
50.2% complete their degree within three years
Retention
70.4%
Transfer Out
10%
Teaching Quality
18:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
59.6%
$/Student
$11.4K
Class Size
Medium
While 50.2% finish in 4 years, 70.4% of freshmen do return for sophomore year. Many students here may take a bit longer, but they stick with it.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$6,121
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
No on-campus housing
Books & Supplies
$1,236
Total Cost of Attendance
$15,694
After Financial Aid
$10,046
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$7,963
Receive Grants
32.4%
Take Loans
25.3%
Tuition is $6,121/yr, and after aid the average student pays about $10,046.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Ridgewater College fund their education.
While in School
32.4%
Get Grants
Free money
25.3%
Take Loans
Must repay
$37,533
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$12,000
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$127/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $12,000, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Ridgewater College.
Gender
62%
Female
38%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
2,162
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
31.4%
First-Gen
23 yrs
Avg Age
24.2%
Age 25+
Women make up the majority at 62% of the student body. 31.4% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
Town: Remote
Campus Quick Facts
2,162
Students
community
Institution
Small
Campus Size
N/A
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
No
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
No
ROTC
No
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Ridgewater College fields 5 varsity teams with 76 student athletes, about 4% of the student body.
Division
NJCAA
Division III
Conference
Not reported
Only collected for NCAA and NAIA teams
Varsity Sports
5
Biggest: Baseball
Student Athletes
76
4% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
64% / 36%
49
Men
27
Women
3
Men's Teams
3
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Ridgewater Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$43,827
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
$29K
195 grads
1yr Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
$59K
80 grads
1yr Earnings
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians
$37K
38 grads
1yr Earnings
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians
$59K
26 grads
1yr Earnings
Criminal Justice and Corrections
$49K
22 grads
1yr Earnings
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians
—
20 grads
Graduates earn about $41K six years out, growing to $44K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ridgewater College
How much does Ridgewater College cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Ridgewater College?▾
How much do Ridgewater College graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.