Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Ridgewater College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Lakes College Brainerd in Brainerd, MN with Ridgewater College in Willmar, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Lakes College Brainerd is larger than Ridgewater College based on total student enrollment (4,981 students vs. 3,148 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Lakes College Brainerd is located in Brainerd, MN (Remote Town setting); Ridgewater College is in Willmar, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Central Lakes College Brainerd is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Ridgewater College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Lakes College Brainerd 20:1; Ridgewater College 19:1.

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Ridgewater College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Lakes College-Brainerd 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 Central Lakes College-Brainerd ($9,448 vs. $13,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Lakes College Brainerd are 9.1% lower than at Ridgewater College ($9,459 vs. $10,408).
• Central Lakes College Brainerd is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ridgewater College (about $128 more per year; $6,249.00 vs. $6,121.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Central Lakes College-Brainerd than at Ridgewater College (about $128 more per year; $6,249.00 vs. $6,121.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Lakes College Brainerd than at Ridgewater College (77% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ridgewater College students is 15.4% larger than aid received by Central Lakes College Brainerd students ($6,437 vs. $5,579).

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Ridgewater College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Lakes College-Brainerd 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 Central Lakes College-Brainerd.

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

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Ridgewater College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Lakes College-Brainerd 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 Central Lakes College Brainerd earn a median of about $400 more per year than Ridgewater College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,600 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Lakes College Brainerd graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Ridgewater College graduates ($10,500 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ridgewater College graduates ($108 vs. $124).
• More Ridgewater College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Lakes College-Brainerd students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 47%)

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.