Banner Image For Ridgewater College

2 Century Avenue SE
Hutchinson, MN 55350
United States

Certificates / Diplomas
Associate Degree
A Minnesota community and technical college, Ridgewater offers more than 100 educational programs in transfer and technical education. In fact, some of our programs are unique in not only Minnesota, but also the nation. With campuses in Willmar, Hutchinson, and online , Ridgewater serves more than 4,400 students. For 2020 and 2021, Ridgewater has been ranked as Minnesota’s #1 Community College based on value, strong academics, student life, facilities, diversity, student experiences, location, and safety! (Source: www.niche.com)

A Student-Centered Learning Environment
Ridgewater is recognized as an educational leader that exemplifies innovation and excellence. We are dedicated to providing an accessible, affordable, and supportive setting for all students. Ridgewater students enjoy small class sizes, up-to-date technology, and access to many student activities and organizations. We take pride in our scholarship opportunities and excellent graduation and job placement rates.

A Partner in Business and Industry
Ridgewater is an active member of the region’s business community. We strive to maintain the quality of education tomorrow’s workforce needs. Ridgewater keeps pace with the needs of the community by offering customized training and continuing education courses.
The following information should help you understand the cost of attending college. Keep in mind that most students receive a financial aid package (grants and scholarships) which lowers their out-of-pocket cost. This is reflected on the net price information, if available.
Living Off-Campus
19,579
Living with Family
13,579
The amounts above pertain to first-time full-time undergraduate students and include tuition and fees, housing and meals, transportation, and personal expenses. Use these estimated amounts as a reference for building your annual budget for attending this institution.
Average Net Price $11,014 / year

This is the average annual amount that first-time, full-time undergraduate students pay at this institution after subtracting all grants and scholarships from the cost of attendance.

Show Net Price details
Net cost after grants and scholarships by income
$0-$30,000: $9,472
$30,001-$48,000: $9,636
$48,001-$75,000: $11,203
$75,001-$110,000: $14,766
Over $110,000: $15,779

This net price data shows the average amount students have paid, according to their family income, after subtracting all grants and scholarships.

Size of Student Body
2,846
Show Undergraduate Student Body details
Breakdown by Race
American Indian or Alaska Native: 1%
Black or African American: 5%
Hispanic: 12%
Asian: 2%
White: 76%
Two or more races: 3%
Unknown: 1%
Breakdown by Age
19 and Younger: 38%
20 to 24: 29%
25 to 34: 19%
35 to 44: 9%
45 and Older: 5%
Breakdown by Gender
Men: 38%
Women: 61%
New entering students who are transfers
40%

Graduation Rate for Two-Year Programs
46%
Show Graduation Rate 2-yr Institution details
Completers within 3 years by race
Hispanic: 37%
White: 50%
Completers within 3 years by Gender
Men: 48%
Women: 41%
Retention Rate
68%
Show Retention Rate details
Retention Rate By Type
Full-time: 64%
Part-time: 47%
Small town/rural
Small town/rural
Average amount of federal, state, local, institutional or other sources of grant aid awarded to undergraduate students
$3,842

The following information pertains to first-time full-time undergraduate students.

Show Financial Aid details
Average amount of aid awarded to full-time first-time undergraduates
State/Local grant aid: $1,795
Institutional grant aid: $4,438
Federal grant aid: $2,902
Average amount of grant aid awarded by income (all sources)
$0-$30,000: $6,098
$30,001-$48,000: $5,675
$48,001-$75,000: $4,302
$75,001-$110,000: $1,091
Over $110,000: $178
School Scholarships
Yes
Required Forms: FAFSA
Title IV (FAFSA) School Code:
005252

This section shows the median debt graduates incurred to complete their degree at this institution.

Median Cumulative Debt by Degree Type
  • Associate's Degree: $13,470
  • Undergraduate Certificate: $12,000
Percent of Graduates With Loans
  • Associate's Degree: 52%
  • Undergraduate Certificate: 48%

  • Common applications (online)
  • Common applications (paper)
  • System applications (online)
  • System applications (paper)
  • School applications (online)
  • School applications (paper)
  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Transcripts
  • Vet Tech, LPN, RN and PSEO have additional admissions requirements.
  • Accepts dual credits
  • Accepts exam-based credits
  • Institution awards credits for military training
Application Timelines

Regular Decision Deadline

For select programs

Early Action Deadline

PSEO, RN, LPN

Admissions Contact
The data displayed below comes from the Graduate Employment Outcomes tool and only reports on graduates employed in Minnesota. This section shows employment data for graduate class of 2017, including percent of graduates with full-time employment in the 3rd year after college graduation and the median annual wages by award level, according to the Minnesota unemployment insurance records. Data does not include federal employees, self-employed (e.g. professional freelancers, artists, developers, designers, business owners), military, or individuals who moved out of state for a job. The list below may be incomplete and limited to some majors. Additionally, data has been suppressed when it refers to 10 or less students.Jump to:
Certificates / Diplomas
Field of Study Percent Employed Full-time 3 Years Post-Graduation Median Annual Salary of Graduates
Agricultural Business and Management 54% $56,179
Agricultural Business and Management 54% $56,179
Agriculture, agriculture operations, and related sciences 56% $53,966
Construction Trades, General 81% $43,492
Health professions and related programs 39% $38,744
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants 35% $37,300
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants 35% $37,300
Precision Metal Working 80% $49,622
Precision Metal Working 80% $49,622
Precision production 80% $49,622
Associate Degree
Field of Study Percent Employed Full-time 3 Years Post-Graduation Median Annual Salary of Graduates
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services 66% $32,162
Business, management, marketing, and related support services 61% $41,718
Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians 65% $61,258
Engineering technologies and engineering-related fields 68% $56,952
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General 56% $55,398
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities 28% $40,697
Liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities 28% $40,697
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing 47% $64,896
This profile features institution-wide data. Be aware that some categories may not be showing and that data is suppressed when reporting is for 10 or less students. Most data and terminology is sourced from IPEDS. To learn more about each section, please refer to Data Sources.