Ridgewater College

2101 15th Ave NW
Willmar, MN 56201

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Tel: (800) 722-1151

www.ridgewater.edu

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Ridgewater College is a comprehensive community and technical college offering education designed for transfer to a university as well as technical programs intended for direct entry into the workforce. Located in central Minnesota, Ridgewater has campuses in Hutchinson and Willmar. We are one of outstate Minnesota's largest public colleges, and are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.Ridgewater College provides quality learning opportunities for students in accessible, affordable, and supportive settings.

School Highlights

Ridgewater College serves 3,176 students (55% of students are full-time).

The college's student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is lower than the state community college average of 16:1.

Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 31%.

Quick Stats (2023-24)

Enrollment: 3,176 students
In-state tuition: $5,400
Out-state tuition: $5,400
Student:teacher ratio: 14:1
Minority enrollment: 16%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Overview

The teacher population of 230 teachers has grown by 66% over five years.

Ridgewater College

(MN) Community College Avg.

Carnegie Classification

Associates Colleges

Institution Level

At least 2 but less than 4 years

Institution Control

Public

Total Faculty

230 staff

153 staff

This chart display total faculty of Ridgewater College and community college average number of faculty in MN by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

School Calendar

Link to School Calendar

Student Body

The student population of Ridgewater College has declined by 5% over five years.

The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 has stayed the same over five years.

The Ridgewater College diversity score of 0.29 is less than the state average of 0.50. The school's diversity has declined by 12% over five years.

Total Enrollment

3,176 students

2,500 students

This chart display the total enrollment of Ridgewater College and community college average number of enrollment of MN by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Student : Teacher Ratio

14:1

16:1

This chart display the student staff ratio of Ridgewater College and community college average student staff ratio of MN by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

# Full-Time Students

1,752 students

1,076 students

This chart display the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Ridgewater College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of MN by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

# Part-Time Students

1,424 students

This chart display the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Ridgewater College.

This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of MN.

# Enrollment Undergraduate

248 students

309 students

# Full-Time Undergraduate Students

1,752 students

1,058 students

This chart display the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Ridgewater College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of MN by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

# Full-Time Graduate Students

n/a

52 students

# Part-Time Undergraduate Students

1,424 students

# Part-Time Graduate Students

n/a

24 students

Total Dormitory Capacity

n/a

116 students

% American Indian/Alaskan

n/a

% Asian

% Hispanic

% Black

% White

84%

69%

This chart display the percentage of White students in Ridgewater College and the percentage of White community college students in MN by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

% Two or more races

% Non Resident races

n/a

% Unknown races

n/a

This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Ridgewater College.

This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in MN.

Diversity Score

0.29

0.50

This chart display the diversity score of Ridgewater College and the community college average diversity score of MN by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)

44%

32%

This chart display completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Ridgewater College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of MN by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)

n/a

0.97%

Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)

$35,300

$36,900

This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Ridgewater College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of MN by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $5,400 is less than the state average of $6,223. The in-state tuition has declined by 6% over four years.

The public out-state tuition of $5,400 is less than the state average of $6,839. The out-state tuition has declined by 6% over four years.

In-State Tuition Fees

$5,400

$6,223

This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of Ridgewater College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of MN by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Out-State Tuition Fees

$5,400

$6,839

This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Ridgewater College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of MN by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid

94%

This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Ridgewater College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in MN by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Median Debt for Graduates

$12,000

$12,264

This chart display median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Ridgewater College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in MN by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Median Debt for Dropouts

$5,931

$6,747

This chart display median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Ridgewater College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in MN by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Acceptance Rate

n/a

91%

SAT Reading

n/a

625

SAT Math

n/a

600

SAT Writing

n/a

565

ACT Composite

n/a

ACT English

n/a

ACT Math

n/a

ACT Writing

n/a

Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators

School Notes

Ridgewater College is a community and technical college that offers more than 100 educational programs in Transfer Education, transfer options, and technical education. Ridgewater College serves more than 5500 students on its campuses in the growing communities of Willmar and Hutchinson, Minnesota. Ridgewater College also offers some programs that are unique in the state of Minnesota and nationally. Small class sizes, up-to-date technology, and access to many student activities and organizations (including intercollegiate sports, choir, theater, and Student Senate) give students the opportunity to enjoy a positive college experience. Ridgewater College is proud of its scholarship foundation, and excellent graduation and job placement rates. Ridgewater College is recognized as an educational leader that exemplifies innovation and excellence within a student-centered learning environment, and is dedicated to providing an accessible, affordable, and supportive setting for all students. At Ridgewater College, students are encouraged to participate in a wide variety of activities including: arts, athletics, student government, theater, music, clubs, and organizations (offerings differ by campus). Ridgewater College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Ridgewater College cost?

Ridgewater College's tuition is approximately $5,400 for In-State students and $5,400 for Out-State students.

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Quick Stats (2023-24)

Enrollment: 3,176 students
In-state tuition: $5,400
Out-state tuition: $5,400
Student:teacher ratio: 14:1
Minority enrollment: 16%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Did You Know?

For Minnesota public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $6,223 per year for in-state students and $6,839 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $16,754 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in Minnesota is 87%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

Minnesota community colleges have a diversity score of 0.50, which is lower than the national average of 0.70. The most diverse community college in Minnesota is Academy College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.