Ridgewater College is a community and technical college offering transfer programs as well as technical programs. Ridgewater offers over 100 program areas between its two campuses. Partnerships also exist that allow Ridgewater graduates to continue their education by pursuing bachelor's degrees in some disciplines without leaving Ridgewater. Ridgewater College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. A variety of student activities are available at Ridgewater, such as choir, theatre, student senate, the student newspaper, multicultural club, athletics, and more. Dozens of program-specific clubs also exist. Student Senate also offers many entertainment options for students. Ridgewater College was created in 1996 with the merger of Willmar Community College and Hutchinson-Willmar Regional Technical College. The previous institutions had been founded in the early 1960s and had gone through several name changes and configurations up until the formation of Ridgewater College in 1996. Ridgewater is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.