Anoka-Ramsey Community College: $5,682 Tuition

$5,682Tuition

3,983Students

24%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$48,342Earnings

Public2-yearNCCAAStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Anoka-Ramsey Community College

Anoka-Ramsey Community College serves 3,983 students in the northern Twin Cities suburbs, functioning as a bridge between high school and four-year universities or direct career entry. The college built its reputation on solid transfer programs that prepare students for University of Minnesota campuses and other state schools. Nearly all students come from Minnesota, with 98.41% claiming in-state residency.

Students pay an average net price of $11,471 after financial aid, though costs drop to just $9,013 for families earning under $30,000. Graduates earn a median of $48,342 ten years after enrollment, making the typical debt load of $13,500 manageable with monthly payments around $143. The employment rate hits 94.5%, suggesting strong job placement despite the modest 24% six-year graduation rate.

The student body leans female at 59.20% and reflects Minnesota's changing demographics with 61.64% white students and significant Black representation at 16.57%. Class sizes run large with a 25:1 student-faculty ratio. The Golden Rams compete in six NCCAA sports with 81 total athletes, though athletic scholarships aren't available. Only 19.62% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a largely middle-class student population seeking affordable education close to home.

Academics & Faculty

Anoka-Ramsey focuses on affordable transfer preparation and workforce training for students across the northern Twin Cities suburbs. Nearly all students (98.41%) come from Minnesota, taking advantage of the same tuition rate regardless of residency status. The college serves 3,983 students with a 25:1 student-faculty ratio, which means larger class sizes typical of community colleges. The 24% six-year graduation rate reflects the reality that many students transfer before completing degrees or attend part-time while working. Strong career programs prepare students for immediate employment, with graduates achieving a 94.5% employment rate. Popular pathways include nursing, business, and liberal arts transfer tracks that feed into four-year universities throughout Minnesota.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 25:1
Full-Time Faculty: 50.2%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 24.0%
Median Earnings (10 years): $48,342

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$59,268
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$40,964
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications.	Associate	$39,909
Business/Commerce, General.	Associate	$37,568
Accounting and Related Services.	Associate	$36,668
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$31,650
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Certificate	$31,314

View all 51 programs →

Campus Life

This suburban Minneapolis community college draws nearly 4,000 students to its Coon Rapids campus, about 20 miles north of downtown Minneapolis. Minnesota winters demand serious gear - expect snow boots and heavy coats from November through March, with temperatures often below freezing. The campus operates as a commuter school with no residence halls, so students drive in from across the northern Twin Cities suburbs.

With 59% women and strong local ties - 98% of students are Minnesota residents - the atmosphere feels neighborhood-focused rather than campus-centered. The 25:1 student-faculty ratio means larger class sizes typical of community colleges. Students juggle coursework with jobs and family commitments, reflected in the modest 19.6% receiving financial aid. Weekends often involve work or family time rather than campus activities. The college offers six varsity sports with 81 total athletes competing in NCCAA divisions. Many students use Anoka-Ramsey as an affordable stepping stone, completing general education requirements before transferring to four-year universities or earning certificates for immediate employment in the Twin Cities job market.

Setting: Suburb-Large
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1965

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Burglary	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 2°–22°F
July Avg: 59°–82°F
Annual Precipitation: 28.8"
Annual Snowfall: 44.1"

Student Demographics

Anoka-Ramsey draws almost entirely from Minnesota, with 98% of students coming from in-state. The student body is 59% women, reflecting strong enrollment in the college's popular nursing and health sciences programs. About one in five students receives Pell Grants, showing the school serves working-class families in the northern Twin Cities suburbs. The campus attracts a diverse mix of students, with significant Black and Hispanic representation alongside white students. Most are local residents looking for affordable career training or planning to transfer to four-year universities.

Men: 40.8%
Women: 59.2%
White: 61.6%
Black: 16.6%
Hispanic: 7.0%
Asian: 6.6%
In-State Students: 98.4%
Pell Grant Recipients: 19.6%

Location

Anoka-Ramsey Community College sits in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, about 15 miles north of Minneapolis. The campus serves the northern Twin Cities suburbs, where 98.41% of students come from in-state. This suburban setting offers access to Minnesota's largest metropolitan area while maintaining a smaller community feel. The region features lakes, parks, and growing residential neighborhoods that attract families and young professionals. Students can easily commute to Minneapolis for internships or cultural activities. The college draws from diverse suburban communities, with 59.20% female enrollment and a student body that is 61.64% white and 16.57% Black. Students considering colleges in Minnesota may also compare Anoka-Ramsey Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Coon Rapids, Minnesota 55433-3470

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $48,342
Median Earnings (5 years): $53,141
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $34,800
Loan Repayment Rate: 48.4%
Monthly Loan Payment: $143/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $13,500

Frequently Asked Questions

How competitive is admission at Anoka-Ramsey Community College?

Community colleges like Anoka-Ramsey typically have open enrollment policies, making them accessible to students with varying academic backgrounds. The college serves 3,983 students and focuses on providing transfer pathways and career training rather than selective admissions. This approach helps students from the northern Twin Cities suburbs start their higher education journey affordably.

What does Anoka-Ramsey Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $11,471 annually, with costs varying by family income from $9,013 for the lowest-income families to $16,057 for the highest earners. Only 19.62% of students receive federal Pell Grants, suggesting many families fall just above income thresholds for need-based aid. The same tuition rate of $5,682 applies to both in-state and out-of-state students.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Anoka-Ramsey Community College?

The student-faculty ratio stands at 25:1, which is typical for community colleges focused on efficient, practical education. Classes tend to emphasize hands-on learning and direct instruction rather than small seminar discussions. The college operates on a semester system and has built its reputation around transfer programs and workforce development since 1965.

What are typical career outcomes for Anoka-Ramsey Community College graduates?

Graduates earn a median salary of $48,342 ten years after starting college, with an impressive 94.5% employment rate. The college's focus on career training and practical skills helps explain these strong job placement numbers. However, the 24% six-year graduation rate reflects the reality that many community college students attend part-time or transfer before completing their programs.

Where is Anoka-Ramsey Community College located and what is campus life like?

The main campus sits in Coon Rapids, a large suburban area in the northern Twin Cities metro, with 98.41% of students coming from Minnesota. The college offers six varsity sports through the NCCAA with 81 total athletes, though athletic scholarships are not available. The student body is 59.2% women and reflects the diversity of the Twin Cities area with significant representation across racial groups.

Does Anoka-Ramsey Community College offer good value for transfer students?

The college provides an affordable pathway to four-year degrees with graduates carrying a median debt of just $13,500 and monthly loan payments of $143. Many students use Anoka-Ramsey as a cost-effective way to complete general education requirements before transferring to universities. The combination of low debt and strong employment outcomes makes it particularly attractive for students seeking practical, affordable higher education in the Twin Cities area.