Head-to-head · 2026
Ridgewater College vs University of Minnesota-Rochester
Compare average net price ($10,046 at Ridgewater College; $13,744 at University of Minnesota-Rochester), ROI score (10.91 vs 12.55), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($43,827 vs $69,020), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Ridgewater College; 71% at University of Minnesota-Rochester) 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 | University of Minnesota-Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.91 | 12.55 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $10,046 ✓ | $13,744 |
| 4-year avg net price | $40,184 ✓ | $54,976 |
| In-state tuition | $6,121 | $15,016 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $6,121 | $15,016 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $43,827 | $69,020 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 71% |
| Graduation rate | 50.2% | 57.4% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 70.4% ✓ | 70.4% |
| Median debt | $12,000 ✓ | $19,500 |
| Enrollment | 2,162 | 568 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1183 |
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 | University of Minnesota-Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,963 | $6,116 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,891 | $4,256 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,176 | $6,748 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $13,111 ✓ | $14,650 |
| Family income $110k+ | $15,103 ✓ | $23,769 |
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.
No shared field has positive award-share data at both schools in the current federal records. Check each school's official catalog before ruling out a program.
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Ridgewater College reports the lower average net price by $3,698 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $14,792 difference over four years ($40,184 vs $54,976).
University of Minnesota-Rochester reports $25,193 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($69,020 vs $43,827). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 70.4% at Ridgewater College and 70.4% at University of Minnesota-Rochester. Median federal debt among completers is $12,000 vs $19,500, respectively.
The current federal records do not show a shared field with positive award-share data for these schools. That does not prove a program is unavailable; verify offerings with each school.
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Frequently asked
Ridgewater College vs University of Minnesota-Rochester, 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 $13,744 at University of Minnesota-Rochester. The annual difference of $3,698 adds up to about $14,792 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Minnesota-Rochester reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $69,020 vs $43,827 at Ridgewater College. The gap in the federal data is $25,193. 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.