Northland Community and Technical College vs. Ridgewater College

Comparable Facts

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

Ridgewater College is larger than Northland Community and Technical College based on total student enrollment (3,148 students vs. 2,631 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Northland Community and Technical College vs. Ridgewater College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northland 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 Northland Community and Technical College ($9,448 vs. $13,776).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northland Community and Technical College are 10.2% lower than at Ridgewater College ($9,342 vs. $10,408).
• Northland Community and Technical College is 2.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ridgewater College (about $168 more per year; $6,289.00 vs. $6,121.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at Northland Community and Technical College than at Ridgewater College (about $168 more per year; $6,289.00 vs. $6,121.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northland Community and Technical College as at Ridgewater College (62% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ridgewater College students is 11.9% larger than aid received by Northland Community and Technical College students ($6,437 vs. $5,754).

Northland Community and Technical College vs. Ridgewater College Admissions comparison

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northland Community and Technical College - Open admission; Ridgewater College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northland Community and Technical College Aug 28, 2027.

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

How do outcomes compare for Northland 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 Northland Community and Technical College earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than Ridgewater College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ridgewater College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Northland Community and Technical College graduates ($12,000 vs. $13,000).
• Among borrowers, Ridgewater College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northland Community and Technical College graduates ($124 vs. $134).
• More Ridgewater College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northland 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.