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Ridgewater College
Willmar, Minnesota · Public community college
Address: 2101 15th Ave NW, Willmar, MN 56201 · Phone: (800) 722-1151 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Ridgewater College is a public trade and career school in Willmar, Minnesota, offering electrician, welding, and medical assistant programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Ridgewater College's completion rate is 50.2%, near the Minnesota state average of 48.2%, with median graduate debt of $12,000 and median earnings of $43,827 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Ridgewater College; the school does participate in federal financial aid (Title IV), and about 32.4% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricians | $47,480 | $78,160 | $101,410 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $45,690 | $60,280 | $65,410 |
| Medical assistants | $40,110 | $50,480 | $58,540 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $23,590 | $39,170 | $59,300 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $38,310 | $58,390 | $73,250 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $51,700 | $63,750 | $71,270 |
| Medical records specialists | $48,120 | $61,530 | $70,070 |
| Skincare specialists | $23,990 | $44,430 | $62,530 |
| Massage therapists | $28,320 | $63,070 | $81,000 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $31,340 | $48,090 | $52,940 |
| Machinists | $46,550 | $61,140 | $74,650 |
| Phlebotomists | $38,740 | $46,000 | $48,760 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $48,400 | $62,600 | $75,960 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $48,720 | $94,410 | $108,750 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Minnesota (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 2–4 years | 29 | $40,824 | $41,937 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 22 | $20,010 | $25,658 | $9,500 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 18 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 2–4 years | 17 | $42,048 | $42,363 | $9,750 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 16 | $34,790 | $24,421 | $18,048 |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 2–4 years | 13 | $34,040 | $36,560 | $9,885 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 12 | $42,048 | $42,363 | $9,750 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 10 | $27,555 | $33,565 | $22,399 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 9 | $20,010 | $25,658 | $9,500 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 8 | $29,549 | not reported | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 2–4 years | 8 | $34,040 | $36,560 | $9,885 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | $42,048 | $42,363 | $9,750 |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | $42,048 | $42,363 | $9,750 |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 2–4 years | 1 | $42,048 | $42,363 | $9,750 |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Ridgewater College is a public trade and career training campus in Willmar, Minnesota, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and, for its nursing programs, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. The school participates in federal financial aid (Title IV), meaning students can use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants to help pay for enrollment. Across its 27 programs, the most-awarded credentials are in electrician schools (41 completions), welding schools (33), and medical assistant programs (26), reflecting a strong hands-on trades and healthcare-support focus.
Ridgewater's completion rate is 50.2%, close to the Minnesota state average of 48.2%, placing it near the state average among comparable schools. Graduates who took out loans carry a median debt of $12,000, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $43,827, per federal Scorecard data. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 32.4% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of low-income enrollment.
With 2,162 undergraduates and 250 trade program completers, Ridgewater serves a mix of students in a remote-town setting, suggesting a campus geared toward local and regional career preparation rather than a large urban commuter base. The range of program families — from electrician and welding to cosmetology, EMT, and culinary — suggests options for both quick-entry certificate seekers and those pursuing longer associate-level credentials, though exact program lengths are not reported here. Prospective students, including career changers, should verify current accreditation status and outcomes directly through the College Scorecard and confirm program details, schedules, and licensing requirements with the school before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Ridgewater College offers 27 programs across families including electrician, welding, medical assistant, cosmetology, auto mechanics, LPN, EMT, culinary, and plumbing. The top programs by completions are electrician schools, welding schools, and medical assistant programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Ridgewater College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with nursing programs additionally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, Ridgewater College participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants and federal loans.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 50.2%, which is near the Minnesota state average of 48.2%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $12,000, according to federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $43,827, per the College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school for current tuition and fees.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Ridgewater College is a public institution, which often means lower tuition rates and eligibility for state funding compared to for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported in the available data; contact the school at (800) 722-1151 or visit ridgewater.edu for specifics on program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and review federal outcome data at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?175236.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The presence of multiple short-entry trade programs alongside healthcare and technical fields suggests options for career changers, though specific program lengths and formats are not reported here; contact the school to confirm fit.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements are not detailed in the available data; contact the school directly to learn about certification or licensure tied to specific programs.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Ridgewater College by phone at (800) 722-1151 or visit their website at https://www.ridgewater.edu/ for application information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included in this listing; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across institutions.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.