Head-to-head · 2026
Ridgewater College vs Saint Cloud State University
Compare average net price ($10,046 at Ridgewater College; $13,529 at Saint Cloud State University), ROI score (10.91 vs 10.31), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($43,827 vs $55,813), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Ridgewater College; 94.8% at Saint Cloud State University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Ridgewater College | Saint Cloud State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.91 ✓ | 10.31 |
| Avg net price | $10,046 ✓ | $13,529 |
| 4-year avg net price | $40,184 ✓ | $54,116 |
| In-state tuition | $6,121 | $10,245 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $6,121 | $10,245 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $43,827 | $55,813 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 94.8% |
| Graduation rate | 50.2% ✓ | 40.3% |
| Retention rate | 70.4% | 70.7% ✓ |
| Median debt | $12,000 ✓ | $21,058 |
| Enrollment | 2,162 | 5,088 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1092 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Ridgewater College | Saint Cloud State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,963 ✓ | $8,909 |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,891 ✓ | $9,871 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,176 ✓ | $12,034 |
| Family income $75–110k | $13,111 ✓ | $14,781 |
| Family income $110k+ | $15,103 ✓ | $18,989 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Ridgewater College | Saint Cloud State University |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 28.4% | 4.5% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 9.7% | 3.6% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 3.6% | 3.1% |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 0.5% | 5.3% |
| Marketing | 1.1% | 3.4% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 2% | 2.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 0.3% | 4% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.6% | 1.9% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Ridgewater College reports the lower average net price by $3,483 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $13,932 difference over four years ($40,184 vs $54,116).
Saint Cloud State University reports $11,986 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($55,813 vs $43,827). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 70.4% at Ridgewater College and 70.7% at Saint Cloud State University. Median federal debt among completers is $12,000 vs $21,058, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Ridgewater College vs Saint Cloud State University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Ridgewater College is cheaper — average net price $10,046 per year vs $13,529 at Saint Cloud State University. The annual difference of $3,483 adds up to about $13,932 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Saint Cloud State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $55,813 vs $43,827 at Ridgewater College. The gap in the federal data is $11,986. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.