Public · Mostly associate degrees · Remote town

Ridgewater College

Willmar, Minnesota. 2,162 undergraduates.

57%Graduation rate20 pts above the national median for similar colleges (38%)
$17,043Average net price per year71% above the national median for similar colleges ($9,953)
$50,062Median earnings 10 years after starting11% above the national median for similar colleges ($45,146)
$12,000Median debt at graduationAbout the same as the national median for similar colleges
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($12,000) equals 24% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($50,062). That is a light load relative to pay.

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$13,151
$30,000–$48,000$13,947
$48,001–$75,000$15,571
$75,001–$110,000$19,825
Over $110,000$23,426

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $6,340.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate57%38%
Return for second year70%64%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$45,662$40,416
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$50,062$45,146
Median debt at graduation$12,000$12,000

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly associate degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

58 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians30$69,525$82,470$12,000
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing76$69,192$73,382$26,898
Criminal Justice and Corrections15—$69,796$16,196
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians13$56,493—$24,489
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers16$56,138——
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities199$39,816$48,298$12,000
Accounting and Related Services10$46,404——
Health and Medical Administrative Services8$40,448$42,915—
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians42$35,778$41,538$15,171
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods19$35,752—$12,000
Agricultural Business and Management11———
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication14———
Computer Programming7———
Computer Software and Media Applications3———
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management6———
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services10———
Special Education and Teaching5———
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians4———
Legal Support Services2———
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians2———
Precision Metal Working3———
Design and Applied Arts8———
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services8———
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions10———
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions5———
Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services2———
Business/Commerce, General14———
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services3———
Marketing4———
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations7———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

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Quick answers

How much does Ridgewater College cost per year?
The average net price at Ridgewater College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $17,043 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Ridgewater College graduates earn?
Former Ridgewater College students earn a median of $50,062 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Ridgewater College?
57% of Ridgewater College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Ridgewater College graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Ridgewater College is $12,000. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.