Normandale Community College vs. Ridgewater College

Comparable Facts

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

Normandale Community College is larger than Ridgewater College based on total student enrollment (11,026 students vs. 3,148 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Normandale Community College is located in Bloomington, MN (Small City setting); Ridgewater College is in Willmar, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Normandale Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Ridgewater College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Normandale Community College 31:1; Ridgewater College 19:1.

Normandale Community College vs. Ridgewater College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Normandale Community 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 Normandale Community College ($9,448 vs. $12,789).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Normandale Community College are 5.5% lower than at Ridgewater College ($9,839 vs. $10,408).
• Normandale Community College is 3.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ridgewater College (about $208 more per year; $6,329.00 vs. $6,121.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at Normandale Community College than at Ridgewater College (about $208 more per year; $6,329.00 vs. $6,121.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Normandale Community College than at Ridgewater College (65% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ridgewater College students is 5.6% larger than aid received by Normandale Community College students ($6,437 vs. $6,098).

Normandale Community College vs. Ridgewater College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Normandale Community 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 Normandale Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Normandale Community College - Open admission; Ridgewater College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Normandale Community College Aug 16, 2027.

Normandale Community College vs. Ridgewater College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Normandale Community 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 Normandale Community College earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Ridgewater College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,900 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ridgewater College graduates have a $267 lower median loan debt than Normandale Community College graduates ($12,000 vs. $12,267).
• Among borrowers, Ridgewater College graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Normandale Community College graduates ($124 vs. $126).
• More Ridgewater College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Normandale Community College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 48%)

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.