Anoka-Ramsey Community College vs. Ridgewater College

Comparable Facts

Compare Anoka Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids, MN with Ridgewater College in Willmar, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Anoka Ramsey Community College is larger than Ridgewater College based on total student enrollment (8,486 students vs. 3,148 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Anoka Ramsey Community College is located in Coon Rapids, MN (Large Suburban setting); Ridgewater College is in Willmar, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Anoka Ramsey Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Ridgewater College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Anoka Ramsey Community College 26:1; Ridgewater College 19:1.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College vs. Ridgewater College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Anoka-Ramsey Community College or Ridgewater College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ridgewater College than Anoka-Ramsey Community College ($9,448 vs. $15,901).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ridgewater College are 26.8% lower than at Anoka Ramsey Community College ($10,408 vs. $14,210).
• Ridgewater College is 7.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Anoka-Ramsey Community College (about $439 more per year; $6,121.00 vs. $5,682.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at Ridgewater College than at Anoka Ramsey Community College (about $439 more per year; $6,121.00 vs. $5,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ridgewater College than at Anoka Ramsey Community College (62% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ridgewater College students is 24% larger than aid received by Anoka Ramsey Community College students ($6,437 vs. $5,190).

Anoka-Ramsey Community College vs. Ridgewater College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Anoka-Ramsey Community College or Ridgewater College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Ridgewater College and Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Anoka-Ramsey Community College - Open admission; Ridgewater College - Open admission.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College vs. Ridgewater College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Ridgewater College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Anoka Ramsey Community College earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than Ridgewater College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,100 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ridgewater College graduates have a $1,931 lower median loan debt than Anoka-Ramsey Community College graduates ($12,000 vs. $13,931).
• Among borrowers, Ridgewater College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Anoka-Ramsey Community College graduates ($124 vs. $144).
• More Ridgewater College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Anoka-Ramsey Community College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 49%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.