DCTC vs. Ridgewater College

Comparable Facts

Compare Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, MN with Ridgewater College in Willmar, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ridgewater College is larger than DCTC based on total student enrollment (3,148 students vs. 2,894 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dakota County Technical College is located in Rosemount, MN (Rural Fringe setting); Ridgewater College is in Willmar, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Dakota County Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Ridgewater College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dakota County Technical College 23:1; Ridgewater College 19:1.

DCTC vs. Ridgewater College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DCTC 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 DCTC ($9,448 vs. $12,935).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ridgewater College are 3.6% lower than at Dakota County Technical College ($10,408 vs. $10,800).
• Dakota County Technical College is 9.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ridgewater College (about $558 more per year; $6,679.00 vs. $6,121.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.1% higher at DCTC than at Ridgewater College (about $558 more per year; $6,679.00 vs. $6,121.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ridgewater College than at Dakota County Technical College (62% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ridgewater College students is 13.8% larger than aid received by Dakota County Technical College students ($6,437 vs. $5,655).

DCTC vs. Ridgewater College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DCTC 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 DCTC.

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

DCTC vs. Ridgewater College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DCTC 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 Dakota County Technical College earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Ridgewater College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota County Technical College graduates have a $1,230 lower median loan debt than Ridgewater College graduates ($10,770 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, DCTC graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ridgewater College graduates ($111 vs. $124).
• More Ridgewater College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DCTC students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 54%)

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.