Certificate (2-4 years)-6% vs national median280 grads tracked
Construction Trades at Ridgewater College
Ranked 13th of 16 certificate (2-4 years) programs in Construction Trades by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$40,465
middle 50%: $32,978 – $49,355
Median · 5 years out
$57,688
middle 50%: $46,967 – $73,849
Median · 10 years out
$68,891
middle 50%: $55,287 – $83,978
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Construction Trades (certificate (2-4 years)) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Construction trades graduates from Ridgewater College earn $40k in their first year. Ten-year median salaries reach $69k.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
7.3 yrs
≈ $8,433 total interest
Same major at other universities
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
$65,835 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
$62,349 · 5 yrs out
Lake Superior College
$62,075 · 5 yrs out
Dakota County Technical College
$61,969 · 5 yrs out
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
$61,468 · 5 yrs out
St. Cloud Technical and Community College
$61,054 · 5 yrs out
Northwest Technical College - Bemidji
$60,837 · 5 yrs out
Saint Paul College - A Community & Technical College
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
Riverland Community College
$58,659 · 5 yrs out
Northland Community and Technical College
$57,090 · 5 yrs out
Mesabi Range College
$50,311 · 5 yrs out
Alexandria Technical and Community College
$49,801 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Ridgewater College
Science Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$96,257 · 5 yrs out
Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$96,257 · 5 yrs out
Science Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$94,389 · 5 yrs out
Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$94,389 · 5 yrs out
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$83,557 · 5 yrs out
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$82,803 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Certificate)
$77,901 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$75,642 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate)
$72,204 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$70,019 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$67,042 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Certificate)
$66,167 · 5 yrs out
Related fields of study
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection
Compare universities
Carpenters
Compare universities
Construction Trades, General
Compare universities
Construction Trades, Other
Compare universities
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers
Compare universities
Mason/Masonry
Compare universities