Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Ridgewater College

Ridgewater's nursing program sits in an uncomfortable middle zone: it delivers below-average outcomes relative to both national and Minnesota standards, while charging debt levels that aren't particularly low. Starting earnings of $59,082 trail the state median by over $7,400 and fall in just the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of associate nursing programs nationwide report higher first-year earnings. More concerning, several nearby Minnesota community colleges consistently place graduates $10,000-15,000 ahead annually, with Minnesota West graduates earning $74,877 their first year out.

The debt picture offers partial relief. At $23,062, graduates borrow about $4,600 less than the Minnesota median, resulting in a manageable 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio. The 11% earnings growth to $65,525 by year four is solid, though it doesn't close the gap with higher-performing programs. For context, this ranks at the 40th percentile among Minnesota nursing programs—middle of the pack within the state, but far behind nationally.

For families committed to staying in this region, Ridgewater provides a path into nursing without crushing debt. But if your child can commute to Minnesota West, Rochester, or another top-performing Minnesota program, the $15,000 annual earnings advantage would more than justify the extra effort. The credential will open nursing doors, but expect to start behind peers from stronger programs.