Minneapolis Community and Technical College vs. Ridgewater College

Comparable Facts

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

Minneapolis Community and Technical College is larger than Ridgewater College based on total student enrollment (6,733 students vs. 3,148 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minneapolis Community and Technical College is located in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting); Ridgewater College is in Willmar, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Minneapolis Community and Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Ridgewater College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minneapolis Community and Technical College 27:1; Ridgewater College 19:1.

Minneapolis Community and Technical College vs. Ridgewater College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Minneapolis Community and 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 Minneapolis Community and Technical College ($9,448 vs. $13,623).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ridgewater College are 22% lower than at Minneapolis Community and Technical College ($10,408 vs. $13,344).
• Minneapolis Community and Technical College is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ridgewater College (about $40 more per year; $6,161.00 vs. $6,121.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Minneapolis Community and Technical College than at Ridgewater College (about $40 more per year; $6,161.00 vs. $6,121.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minneapolis Community and Technical College than at Ridgewater College (73% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ridgewater College students is 8.1% larger than aid received by Minneapolis Community and Technical College students ($6,437 vs. $5,952).

Minneapolis Community and Technical College vs. Ridgewater College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Minneapolis Community and 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 Minneapolis Community and Technical College.

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

Minneapolis Community and Technical College vs. Ridgewater College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Minneapolis Community and 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 Minneapolis Community and 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, Ridgewater College graduates have a $5,083 lower median loan debt than Minneapolis Community and Technical College graduates ($12,000 vs. $17,083).
• Among borrowers, Ridgewater College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Minneapolis Community and Technical College graduates ($124 vs. $176).
• More Ridgewater College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minneapolis Community and Technical College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 30%)

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.