Riverland Community College vs. Ridgewater College

Comparable Facts

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

Riverland Community College is larger than Ridgewater College based on total student enrollment (3,959 students vs. 3,148 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Riverland Community College is located in Austin, MN (Distant Town setting); Ridgewater College is in Willmar, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Riverland Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Ridgewater College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Riverland Community College 20:1; Ridgewater College 19:1.

Riverland Community College vs. Ridgewater College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Riverland 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 Riverland Community College than Ridgewater College ($8,017 vs. $9,448).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Riverland Community College are 9.2% lower than at Ridgewater College ($9,452 vs. $10,408).
• Riverland Community College is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ridgewater College (about $177 more per year; $6,298.00 vs. $6,121.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at Riverland Community College than at Ridgewater College (about $177 more per year; $6,298.00 vs. $6,121.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Riverland Community College than at Ridgewater College (78% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Riverland Community College students is 2.4% larger than aid received by Ridgewater College students ($6,593 vs. $6,437).

Riverland Community College vs. Ridgewater College Admissions comparison

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

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

Riverland Community College vs. Ridgewater College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Riverland 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 of Riverland Community College and Ridgewater College have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($35,200 vs. $35,200), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• More Ridgewater College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Riverland Community College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 46%)

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.