Ridgewater College

Overview

Ridgewater College, located in Willmar, Minnesota, is a public community college offering a diverse range of technical and career programs. Established in 1961, Ridgewater provides a comprehensive educational portfolio with popular majors including Agriculture, Veterinary Technology, Nursing, and Liberal Arts and Sciences. The college fosters a supportive learning environment upon its rural campus, which lies approximately 95 miles west of Minneapolis. While primarily a commuter school, Ridgewater College offers limited on-campus housing options, accommodating students who wish to reside near academic facilities. The college's application process is considered to have an open admissions policy, welcoming a broad spectrum of students. Although not specifically recognized for its athletic programs, Ridgewater College competes in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference under the team name 'Warriors.'

Ridgewater College has an open admission policy which permits enrollment by any high school graduate or GED holding student.  1,583 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 1,321 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2022/2023, excluding room and board, is $5,473 plus fees of $641.