Head-to-head · 2026
Normandale Community College vs Ridgewater College
Compare average net price ($12,972 at Normandale Community College; $10,046 at Ridgewater College), ROI score (9.68 vs 10.91), ten-year median earnings ($50,207 vs $43,827), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Normandale Community College; Open / not reported at Ridgewater College) using federal College Scorecard data. Ridgewater College has a 3-1 metric-level edge. Ridgewater College leads on ROI, but the cost and earnings signals are split enough that this is not a one-metric decision.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | Normandale Community College | Ridgewater College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 9.68 | 10.91 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $12,972 | $10,046 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $50,207 ✓ | $43,827 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 27% | 50.2% ✓ |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| Enrollment | 7,044 | 2,162 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 1 | 3 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Normandale Community College costs $2,926 more per year than Ridgewater College ($12,972 vs $10,046). Normandale Community College graduates report $6,380 higher median earnings after ten years ($50,207 vs $43,827). On EduGradify's model that puts Ridgewater College ahead on projected ROI (10.91 vs 9.68, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Ridgewater College) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
Normandale Community College vs Ridgewater College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Normandale Community College or Ridgewater College the better value?
Ridgewater College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (10.91 vs 9.68), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Ridgewater College is cheaper — average net price $10,046 per year vs $12,972 at Normandale Community College. The annual difference of $2,926 adds up to about $11,704 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Normandale Community College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $50,207 vs $43,827 at Ridgewater College. The annual gap in the federal data is $6,380.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. Normandale Community College reports a B value grade; Ridgewater College reports A.