Head-to-head · 2026
Ridgewater College vs Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Compare average net price ($10,046 at Ridgewater College; $11,704 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota), ROI score (10.91 vs 12.43), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($43,827 vs $58,170), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Ridgewater College; 92.8% at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota) 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 Mary's University of Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.91 | 12.43 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $10,046 ✓ | $11,704 |
| 4-year avg net price | $40,184 ✓ | $46,816 |
| In-state tuition | $6,121 | $45,080 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $6,121 | $45,080 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $43,827 | $58,170 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 92.8% |
| Graduation rate | 50.2% | 66% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 70.4% | 74.6% ✓ |
| Median debt | $12,000 ✓ | $21,500 |
| Enrollment | 2,162 | 1,073 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
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 Mary's University of Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,963 ✓ | $16,182 |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,891 ✓ | $15,175 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,176 ✓ | $15,030 |
| Family income $75–110k | $13,111 ✓ | $14,771 |
| Family income $110k+ | $15,103 | $6,135 ✓ |
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 Mary's University of Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 9.7% | 2.6% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 2.2% | 3.8% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.6% | 3.1% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 3.6% | 1% |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 0.5% | 4% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 2% | 0.9% |
| Marketing | 1.1% | 1.2% |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 1.8% | 0.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Ridgewater College reports the lower average net price by $1,658 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $6,632 difference over four years ($40,184 vs $46,816).
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota reports $14,343 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($58,170 vs $43,827). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 70.4% at Ridgewater College and 74.6% at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Median federal debt among completers is $12,000 vs $21,500, 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.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Ridgewater College vs Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, 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 $11,704 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. The annual difference of $1,658 adds up to about $6,632 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $58,170 vs $43,827 at Ridgewater College. The gap in the federal data is $14,343. 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.