Location: Willmar, MN•In-State Tuition: $6,109
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$36,048
Est. from MN median (4 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$15,000
Est. from MN median (3 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 suggests this program could be manageable—comparable Design and Applied Arts associates programs in Minnesota typically produce first-year earnings around $36,000 against roughly $15,000 in debt. That's notably better than the national median for these programs ($27,846), though Minnesota generally shows stronger outcomes in this field. The estimated figures here track closely with what other Minnesota community colleges report, placing Ridgewater somewhere in the middle of the state's range.

The challenge is uncertainty. With no actual graduate data published for this specific program, parents can't know whether Ridgewater's design curriculum connects students to the higher-paying opportunities that lift programs like Minneapolis Community and Technical ($40,230) and Century College ($39,850) above the state median. Design and applied arts is a broad category—outcomes vary significantly depending on whether students land in graphic design, interior design, or other specializations, and whether the program has strong local employer relationships.

Before committing, visit campus and ask pointed questions: Which employers hire graduates? What specific design skills does the curriculum emphasize? Can they connect you with recent alumni? The estimated numbers suggest reasonable value if this program performs like its peers, but you're betting on comparability without confirmation.

Where Ridgewater College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all design and applied arts associates's programs nationally

Ridgewater College (estimated ±10%)Other design and applied arts programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

Design and Applied Arts associates's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (14 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Ridgewater CollegeWillmar$6,109$36,048*—$15,000*—
Minneapolis Community and Technical CollegeMinneapolis$6,128$40,230*$29,825$18,601*0.46
Century CollegeWhite Bear Lake$6,182$39,850*$34,586$15,000*0.38
Rasmussen University-MinnesotaSt. Cloud$10,899$32,246*—$28,722*0.89
Alexandria Technical & Community CollegeAlexandria$6,213$31,830*$40,168$12,000*0.38
National Median—$27,846*—$14,454*0.52
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with design and applied arts graduates

Art Directors

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.

$111,040/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

$99,800/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web and Digital Interface Designers

Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Video Game Designers

Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in architecture and architectural design, such as architectural environmental design, interior architecture/design, and landscape architecture. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Fashion Designers

Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.

$80,690/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Commercial and Industrial Designers

Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.

$79,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Set and Exhibit Designers

Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

$66,280/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Interior Designers

Plan, design, and furnish the internal space of rooms or buildings. Design interior environments or create physical layouts that are practical, aesthetic, and conducive to the intended purposes. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design.

$63,490/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Graphic Designers

Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.

$61,300/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Artists and Related Workers, All Other

All artists and related workers not listed separately.

$56,260/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Ridgewater College, approximately 34% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in MN. Actual outcomes may vary.