Minnesota West Community and Technical College vs. Ridgewater College

Comparable Facts

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

Minnesota West Community and Technical College is larger than Ridgewater College based on total student enrollment (3,695 students vs. 3,148 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minnesota West Community and Technical College is located in Granite Falls, MN (Rural Fringe setting); Ridgewater College is in Willmar, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Minnesota West 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: Minnesota West Community and Technical College 18:1; Ridgewater College 19:1.

Minnesota West Community and Technical College vs. Ridgewater College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Minnesota West 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 Minnesota West Community and Technical College ($9,448 vs. $10,638).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota West Community and Technical College are 37.5% lower than at Ridgewater College ($6,500 vs. $10,408).
• Minnesota West Community and Technical College is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ridgewater College (about $370 more per year; $6,491.00 vs. $6,121.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at Minnesota West Community and Technical College than at Ridgewater College (about $370 more per year; $6,491.00 vs. $6,121.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minnesota West Community and Technical College than at Ridgewater College (64% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minnesota West Community and Technical College students is 2.1% larger than aid received by Ridgewater College students ($6,569 vs. $6,437).

Minnesota West Community and Technical College vs. Ridgewater College Admissions comparison

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

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

Minnesota West Community and Technical College vs. Ridgewater College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Minnesota West 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 Minnesota West Community and Technical College earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Ridgewater College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,900 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota West Community and Technical College graduates have a $280 lower median loan debt than Ridgewater College graduates ($11,720 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota West Community and Technical College graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ridgewater College graduates ($121 vs. $124).
• More Ridgewater College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota West Community and Technical College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 53%)

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.