Ridgewater College
Willmar, Minnesota
Ridgewater College is a public institution in Willmar, Minnesota with 2,048 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $6,109 compared with a Minnesota nursing-school average of $17,452. The school reports a graduation rate of 44.9%, median earnings of $43,827, and median federal debt of $12,000.
$6,109 is lower than the state average of $17,452.
44.9% is lower than the state average of 51.0%.
$43,827 is lower than the state average of $49,426.
About Ridgewater College
| Location | Willmar, Minnesota |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | associate |
| Website | www.ridgewater.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $6,109 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $6,109 |
| Total Enrollment | 2,048 |
| Acceptance Rate | N/A |
| Graduation Rate | 44.9% |
| Retention Rate | 68.0% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $43,827 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $127 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 33.5% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 27.4% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.3 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
33.5% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 27.4% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at Ridgewater College depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $24,436, while the reported median debt is $12,000 with an estimated monthly payment of $127. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among White students (76.1%), followed by Hispanic students (13.8%) and Black students (4.0%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($43,827) divided by median debt ($12,000)