North Hennepin Community College vs. Ridgewater College

Comparable Facts

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

North Hennepin Community College is larger than Ridgewater College based on total student enrollment (5,563 students vs. 3,148 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Hennepin Community College is located in Brooklyn Park, MN (Large Suburban setting); Ridgewater College is in Willmar, MN (Remote Town setting).
• North Hennepin Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Ridgewater College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Hennepin Community College 24:1; Ridgewater College 19:1.

North Hennepin Community College vs. Ridgewater College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Hennepin 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 North Hennepin Community College ($9,448 vs. $11,872).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ridgewater College are 24.1% lower than at North Hennepin Community College ($10,408 vs. $13,707).
• Ridgewater College is 20.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than North Hennepin Community College (about $1,060 more per year; $6,121.00 vs. $5,061.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.9% higher at Ridgewater College than at North Hennepin Community College (about $1,060 more per year; $6,121.00 vs. $5,061.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Hennepin Community College than at Ridgewater College (66% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ridgewater College students is 15.4% larger than aid received by North Hennepin Community College students ($6,437 vs. $5,579).

North Hennepin Community College vs. Ridgewater College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, North Hennepin 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 North Hennepin Community College.

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

North Hennepin Community College vs. Ridgewater College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for North Hennepin 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 North Hennepin Community College earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Ridgewater College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ridgewater College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than North Hennepin Community College graduates ($12,000 vs. $15,500).
• Among borrowers, Ridgewater College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than North Hennepin Community College graduates ($124 vs. $160).
• More Ridgewater College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Hennepin Community College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 43%)

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.