Northwest Technical College vs. Ridgewater College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, 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 Northwest Technical College based on total student enrollment (3,148 students vs. 978 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest Technical College is located in Bemidji, MN (Remote Town setting); Ridgewater College is in Willmar, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Northwest Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Ridgewater College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwest Technical College 16:1; Ridgewater College 19:1.

Northwest Technical College vs. Ridgewater College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwest 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 Northwest Technical College than Ridgewater College ($8,910 vs. $9,448).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ridgewater College are 7.2% lower than at Northwest Technical College ($10,408 vs. $11,216).
• Northwest Technical College is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ridgewater College (about $133 more per year; $6,254.00 vs. $6,121.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Northwest Technical College than at Ridgewater College (about $133 more per year; $6,254.00 vs. $6,121.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest Technical College than at Ridgewater College (71% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Technical College students is 5.4% larger than aid received by Ridgewater College students ($6,786 vs. $6,437).

Northwest Technical College vs. Ridgewater College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwest 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 Northwest Technical College.

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

Northwest Technical College vs. Ridgewater College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwest 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ridgewater College graduates have a $239 lower median loan debt than Northwest Technical College graduates ($12,000 vs. $12,239).
• Among borrowers, Ridgewater College graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest Technical College graduates ($124 vs. $126).
• More Ridgewater College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest Technical College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 51%)

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.