Head-to-head · 2026
Ridgewater College vs St Cloud Technical and Community College
Compare average net price ($10,046 at Ridgewater College; $9,635 at St Cloud Technical and Community College), ROI score (10.91 vs 12.16), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($43,827 vs $46,874), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Ridgewater College; Open / not reported at St Cloud Technical and Community College) 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 | St Cloud Technical and Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.91 | 12.16 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $10,046 | $9,635 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $40,184 | $38,540 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $6,121 | $6,124 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $6,121 | $6,124 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $43,827 | $46,874 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 50.2% ✓ | 44.9% |
| Retention rate | 70.4% ✓ | 64.8% |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| Enrollment | 2,162 | 3,113 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| 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 | St Cloud Technical and Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,963 | $6,889 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,891 | $6,654 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,176 | $8,908 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $13,111 | $11,666 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $15,103 | $13,804 ✓ |
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 | St Cloud Technical and Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 28.4% | 33.2% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 9.7% | 4.3% |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 2.2% | 7.5% |
| Precision Metal Working | 4% | 3% |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 2.2% | 4.7% |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | 3.1% | 3.7% |
| Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians | 4.3% | 2% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 0.9% | 5.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
St Cloud Technical and Community College reports the lower average net price by $411 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $1,644 difference over four years ($38,540 vs $40,184).
St Cloud Technical and Community College reports $3,047 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($46,874 vs $43,827). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 70.4% at Ridgewater College and 64.8% at St Cloud Technical and Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $12,000 vs $12,000, 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 St Cloud Technical and Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
St Cloud Technical and Community College is cheaper — average net price $9,635 per year vs $10,046 at Ridgewater College. The annual difference of $411 adds up to about $1,644 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
St Cloud Technical and Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $46,874 vs $43,827 at Ridgewater College. The gap in the federal data is $3,047. 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.