Tuition & Fees
Resident and Nonresident Tuition
Section titled “Resident and Nonresident Tuition”$201.58 Tuition + $21.76 fees = $223.34 per credit
If you live in one of the following states that have a reciprocity agreement with Minnesota, tuition and fees will be based on your state’s reciprocity agreement:
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
At this time, the reciprocity agreements for each of these states offers the same in-state tuition of $189.72 per credit plus fees. If you live in one of these states, a special form must be completed.
If you live in a state that doesn’t have a reciprocity agreement with Minnesota, Ridgewater College allows you to pay in-state tuition rates.
If you are not sure if you’re a resident of Minnesota, please refer to the Minnesota State Board of Trustees policy on Resident State Qualifications and related procedures.
Online Course Tuition
Section titled “Online Course Tuition”$220.16 Tuition + $18.41 Fees = $238.57 per credit
Tuition Differential Rates for Select Programs
Some programs and courses cost more and are charged a tuition differential rate.
Nursing – Associates Degree and Bachelor of Science: $236.73 per credit+ $21.76 fees = $258.49 per credit
Nursing – Practical Nursing: $230.73 per credit+ $21.76 fees = $252.49 per credit
Veterinary Technology: $223.23 per credit + $21.76 fees =$244.99 per credit
Senior Citizen Rate Age 62 or Older: $20.00 per credit plus applicable fees of $13.96 = $33.96 per credit
Senior Citizen Audit Age 62 or Older: Fees of $3.35 = $3.35 per class
Fees & Other Expenses
Fees & Special Costs Fees are approximately $21.76 per credit for a full-time student. Ridgewater College fees include student services, health services, the Minnesota State College Student Association fee, technology, and parking.
Some technical programs may have additional tool/book requirements ranging from $250 to $1,200. Some programs also charge a lab fee, which may range from $5 to $575 per year. Please check with a college counselor for individual program details.
Living Expenses Average estimated living expenses range are $6,600 for the academic school year.
Parking on Campus Students pay a per-semester-credit parking fee, up to a maximum fee per semester. This is collected at the same time as tuition payment. For more information on parking, check out college’s parking policy [PDF].
Calculate Your Cost
Use the Tuition & Fee Schedule [PDF] to calculate your total cost of tuition and fees based on the number of credits in which you plan to enroll. You can also use the Net Price Calculator on the Minnesota State website to estimate an annual cost with estimated living expenses.
All costs are approximate and may be amended at any time. This page is intended as an informational source only. Changes may be made as needed at the discretion of Ridgewater College. Actual costs may vary due to fee structure, state guidelines, or policy changes. For more information, please call the Business Office at 320-234-8596.
Cost of Attendance
Section titled “Cost of Attendance”Ridgewater College uses Cost of Attendance (COA) figures to calculate your financial aid eligibility. Actual costs may differ from the chart below depending on your program, enrollment level, and personal spending choices. If you do not receive financial aid, you can still use the chart below to estimate your costs.
The total amount of financial aid offered to a student, including all scholarships, grants and student loans, cannot exceed the Cost of Attendance at Ridgewater College for that financial aid year. Financial aid offers (loans, work-study, scholarships, and/or grants) may be reduced for students whose total aid exceeds the Cost of Attendance.
The following amounts are Ridgewater’s estimated Cost of Attendance Budget amounts for a full-time student. Actual costs may differ from the chart below depending on your program, enrollment level, and personal spending choices. The COA Budget listed is for a full-time (15 credits) student; if a student is enrolled less than full-time, their COA is adjusted accordingly.
These are budget estimates, not your actual billed costs.
2025-2026 Cost of Attendance for All Students
Section titled “2025-2026 Cost of Attendance for All Students”| Cost of Attendance Category | Fall | Spring | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | 3168 | 3168 | 6336 |
| Books & Supplies | 618 | 618 | 1236 |
| Housing & Food | 5332 | 5332 | 10664 |
| Transportation | 1364 | 1364 | 2728 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expense | 1237 | 1237 | 2474 |
| Loan Fees | 42 | 42 | 84 |
| Total | 11761 | 11761 | 23522 |
Note: Housing & Food, Loan Fees, and Miscellaneous Personal Expenses are not included in the budget for students enrolled less-than-half-time.
If you have expenses that are not taken into account in the standard budget, you may submit a Cost of Attendance Budget Increase Form. Your Cost of Attendance (Budget) will be reviewed and your financial aid eligibility will be re-evaluated.