Ridgetown College, University of Guelph

The Ridgetown campus was founded in 1951 and became a University of Guelph campus in 1997. The school prides itself in preparing students to become leaders in applied agriculture, environmental research, animal science, and practical life-long learning initiatives relevant to society. If you are keen on advancing society through science-based learning and agri-food research, this college may be a perfect fit!

Let’s take a deeper look at the different aspects Ridgetown College at University of Guelph has to offer.

Admissions

Ridgetown College at University of Guelph boasts an enrollment of 625 full-time students.

Tuition

The estimated one year cost for attending Ridgetown College at University of Guelph is $8,347. This estimate was formulated by the institution based on their 2019/2020 fees, but actual costs may be greater. For example, room and board can make the grand total vary depending on where you live (on-campus or off-campus).

Here’s how the grand total breaks down:

ExpenseCost
Tuition for 2 semesters$3,306
Student organization fees$382
Additional program fees$1,993
Accreditation fee$60
Rabies immunization$750
Building fee$83
Dental insurance$165
Health insurance$165
Textbooks$1,526

Location

Ridgetown College, University of Guelph is conveniently located an hour from the United States-Canada border at Windsor, and three hours west of Toronto, Ontario. The campus is 6 kilometers south of Hwy 401 (Exit 109) on County Road 17, or 6 kilometers north of Morpeth if you are traveling from Hwy 3.

Ridgetown is a small town with a population of only 3,450. Yet, students have access to many of the essential amenities they’ll need in college like a grocery store, two drug stores, gas stations, several restaurants, two banks, and an arena. For those wanting to venture out, Ridgetown is only 30 minutes from Chatham, where students can shop in malls and watch a movie at a theatre, among other larger city activities.

Housing

Students have the option of either living on-campus or off-campus when studying at the Ridgetown Campus at University of Guelph.

On-Campus

Living on-campus comes with great perks, especially for incoming freshmen. You get to stay connected and meet new people easier, while enjoying several comforts of home. While living on-campus can be more expensive, it may be worth the investment at least for the first one or two years. By choosing on-campus living, you will be conveniently situated near athletic facilities, dining halls, classrooms, and your classmates.

Ridgetown Campus’ Steckley Hall features dormitory-style living with approximately 190 spaces in double rooms. Single rooms are available by request at an additional cost. It’s a non-smoking facility, staffed 24 hours each day while students are present. Entrances are controlled after 11 pm everyday to ensure safety. It’s a co-ed facility, so students can meet a variety of different people while living on campus. Quiet times begin at 11 pm to promote positive sleeping experiences, and a quiet wing is available for those looking for maximum study time.

In the campus residence, students can take advantage of high-speed, wireless internet, a kitchenette, coin-operated laundry machines, a fitness center, student lounges equipped with cable TV and pool/ping-pong/football tables, and vending machines.

Are you highly considering on-campus living? If so, be sure to apply by the residence application deadline found on the website. Based on the institution’s 2019/2020 rates, a double occupancy room (with a roommate) averages out to $1,297.50 per semester, while a single occupancy room averages out to $2,595 per semester.

Students living on-campus are required to purchase a meal plan, which includes 14 meals per week from Monday morning breakfast through Friday lunch. It’s an all-you-can-eat meal plan, so students pay a flat rate for every 13-week semester. The meal plan cost per semester comes out to $1,518.25.

Off-Campus

Undergraduates also have the option to live off-campus, which many end up doing after their first year. Ridgetown Campus has a free service for students attending the school to locate off-campus housing. The fees, amenities, included appliances, and rules vary depending on where you choose to live. Some may require you to sign a long-term lease, while others may be more open to short-term rentals. Check out the current listings to find your perfect home while you’re studying at Ridgetown College, University of Guelph!

If you are planning to bring a car, parking is available on campus for $30 to $120 per year depending on the location. You’ll need to purchase current tags from the campus administration.

Academic Programs

There are a few different programs students at Ridgetown College, University of Guelph can choose from.

The Associate Diploma programs are either 2 or 3 years in length, and involve focused, hands-on training in a specific field. The fields include:

Another program available to students is called the Apprenticeship Program. It’s two years long, and gives undergraduates the opportunity to learn a skilled trade on the job under the direction of more experienced employees. Additionally, they must complete classroom instruction as part of their training. Currently, a dairy herdsperson apprenticeship is available through the Ridgetown Campus.

Finally, if you’re crunched for time, you can always consider a Certificate Program at Ridgetown College, University of Guelph. It’s a one-year program that provides practical training and prepares you for the workforce with focused and relevant knowledge to apply to your career. Currently, students at the Ridgetown Campus can get a certification to either become a performance horse handler, or work in a veterinary office administration.

Scholarships

Higher education is expensive, yet more important than ever these days with a growing competitive workforce. Ridgetown College realizes this, and awards more than $100,000 in financial assistance each year to its students to help offset tuition and other college expenses.

The Student Awards program consists of scholarships, bursaries, in-course awards, academic proficiency awards, need-based scholarships, and graduation awards. Students should get the Student Awards Handbook via email in mid-to-late August with the anticipated award availability for the academic year.

From there, they can begin the application process. The process may vary depending on which award you’re applying for. For example, some require a student-written letter, a completed, error-free OSAP application, and/or a Needs Assessment Form that’s sent out by the Awards Coordinator. There are also some awards where students are automatically considered for based on committee nomination or academic proficiency.

Athletics

At Ridgetown College, University of Guelph, the athletics scene is quite impressive. Students can build new friendships while maintaining their fitness by participating in intramural sports, or by trying a workout in the campus fitness center located in the basement of Steckley Hall.

Fall sports include:

  • Badminton
  • Ball hockey
  • Indoor soccer
  • Hockey
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Volleyball

Winter sports include:

  • Basketball
  • Broomball
  • Bowling
  • Curling
  • Dodgeball
  • Yoga

Student Life

There’s a whole lot more to college than going to classes, studying, and taking exams. Being well-rounded is not only necessary for optimal health and sanity, but also teaches you how to balance work and play! With that said, stay active on campus while you study. At Ridgetown College, University of Guelph, students have plenty of options for fun and relaxation on and off-campus. For example, they can participate in intramural sports, go to the on-campus fitness center, and get involved in campus life by partaking in special events, joining clubs and committees, taking advantage of leadership opportunities, and more!