Rainy River Community College vs Ridgewater College
Rainy River Community College and Ridgewater College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Rainy River, nestled in International Falls, Minnesota, boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a diverse student body. Ridgewater, with campuses in Willmar and Hutchinson, Minnesota, offers a wider range of academic programs, including popular majors like Business, Health Sciences, and Agriculture. While Rainy River prides itself on its small class sizes, fostering personalized attention, Ridgewater's larger student population provides a vibrant campus life. Both colleges share a commitment to student success, with Ridgewater boasting a slightly higher graduation rate. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Rainy River Community College |
![]() Ridgewater College |
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Overview |
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Location | International Falls, Minnesota | Willmar, Minnesota |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Town: Remote |
College type | 2 year | 2 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 39.0% | 64.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | Open Admission | Open Admission |
Application fees | $20 | |
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | ||
Total number of admissions given out | ||
Admitted students who chose to enroll | ||
Yield rate | ||
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | Not required | |
High school GPA | N/A | N/A |
Recommendation letters | N/A | N/A |
High school transcript | N/A | N/A |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | N/A | N/A |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$15,888
Out of state:
$17,186
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$19,335 |
Average net price | $10,156 | $11,014 |
Tuition |
In state:
$5,192
Out of state:
$6,490
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$5,288 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$3,920
Meal plan:
$1,800
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
64.0%
Average amount $5,845 |
65.0%
Average amount $4,966 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
45.0%
Average amount $4,170 |
31.0%
Average amount $4,823 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $3,650 |
1.0%
Average amount $8,646 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
179
Men 44.1% Women 55.9% |
2,846
Men 37.5% Women 62.5% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 6.2% | 0.3% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 99 | N/A |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | N/A |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 19:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 36.4% | 45.4% |
Dropout rate | 32.7% | 34.6% |
Transferred out | 30.9% | 14.4% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees)
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Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Precision Metal Working (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees)
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Agricultural Business and Management (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Associate's Degrees)
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degrees)
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees)
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