Hennepin Technical College vs. Ridgewater College

Comparable Facts

Compare Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park, MN with Ridgewater College in Willmar, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Hennepin Technical College is larger than Ridgewater College based on total student enrollment (4,572 students vs. 3,148 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hennepin Technical College is located in Brooklyn Park, MN (Large Suburban setting); Ridgewater College is in Willmar, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Hennepin Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Ridgewater College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hennepin Technical College 21:1; Ridgewater College 19:1.

Hennepin Technical College vs. Ridgewater College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hennepin Technical 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 Hennepin Technical College ($9,448 vs. $9,666).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hennepin Technical College are 16.1% lower than at Ridgewater College ($8,728 vs. $10,408).
• Ridgewater College is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hennepin Technical College (about $181 more per year; $6,121.00 vs. $5,940.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at Ridgewater College than at Hennepin Technical College (about $181 more per year; $6,121.00 vs. $5,940.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ridgewater College than at Hennepin Technical College (62% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ridgewater College students is 1.1% larger than aid received by Hennepin Technical College students ($6,437 vs. $6,364).

Hennepin Technical College vs. Ridgewater College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hennepin Technical 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 Hennepin Technical College.

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

Hennepin Technical College vs. Ridgewater College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hennepin Technical 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 Hennepin Technical College earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Ridgewater College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,300 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hennepin Technical College graduates have a $1 lower median loan debt than Ridgewater College graduates ($11,999 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Ridgewater College and Hennepin Technical College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($124 vs. $124).
• More Ridgewater College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hennepin Technical College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 45%)

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.