South Central College vs. Ridgewater College

Comparable Facts

Compare South Central College in North Mankato, 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 South Central College based on total student enrollment (3,148 students vs. 2,731 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

South Central College vs. Ridgewater College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, South Central 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 South Central College than Ridgewater College ($9,300 vs. $9,448).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Central College are 28.9% lower than at Ridgewater College ($7,400 vs. $10,408).
• South Central College is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ridgewater College (about $25 more per year; $6,146.00 vs. $6,121.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at South Central College than at Ridgewater College (about $25 more per year; $6,146.00 vs. $6,121.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Central College than at Ridgewater College (75% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ridgewater College students is 4.9% larger than aid received by South Central College students ($6,437 vs. $6,137).

South Central College vs. Ridgewater College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, South Central 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 South Central College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: South Central College - Open admission; Ridgewater College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: South Central College Aug 1, 2027.

South Central College vs. Ridgewater College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for South Central 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 South Central College earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Ridgewater College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,200 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 South Central College graduates ($12,000 vs. $13,000).
• Among borrowers, Ridgewater College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Central College graduates ($124 vs. $134).
• More Ridgewater College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Central College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 52%)

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.