Central Lakes College-Brainerd
- Graduation Rate
- 51% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $42,162 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $13,869 C+
- 19% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 1,614
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 16.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.4 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $16.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $853,012.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Central Lakes College-Brainerd Matters
Central Lakes College-Brainerd is a public community college in Brainerd, MN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 1,614
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Transportation, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Central Lakes College-Brainerd
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,869 a year after grants and scholarships — 19% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $42,162 ten years after enrolling — 3% above the typical college, against $11,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.31 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
Central Lakes College-Brainerd has an enrollment of about 1,614 students, making it a welcoming environment for those looking to dive into practical fields. It's a good fit for individuals interested in hands-on careers, particularly in areas like Health Professions, Mechanic & Repair Tech, and Precision Production. The focus on these programs means students can gain skills that are directly applicable in the job market, setting the stage for solid post-graduation opportunities.
When it comes to life after graduation, the numbers tell a hopeful story. Graduates earn a median salary of $42,162 ten years after completing their studies. That’s a decent starting point that can help many graduates build a stable life. With a relatively affordable net price of $13,869, students can pursue their interests without accumulating crippling debt. This financial access is especially important for those looking to make a meaningful leap in their careers.
In terms of financial outcomes, the median debt for students stands at $11,000, which is manageable compared to many other institutions. This helps create a more sustainable pathway for graduates as they transition into the workforce. Students who thrive here often appreciate the practical focus of their programs, which align well with job market demands. The supportive community and dedicated faculty also play a big role in helping students succeed and feel prepared for their future.
Rankings
- #12 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Minnesota
- #28 Most Affordable Colleges in Minnesota
- #32 Best Computer Science Colleges in Minnesota
- #32 Best Data Science Colleges in Minnesota
- #39 Best Nursing Colleges in Minnesota
- #41 Best Business Colleges in Minnesota
- #45 Best Online Colleges in Minnesota
- #48 Best Colleges in Minnesota
Can I Get In?
How selective Central Lakes College-Brainerd is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Central Lakes College-Brainerd? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Brainerd, Minnesota, Central Lakes College-Brainerd enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
- Retention Rate
- 69%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 56%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,626
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.33
- First-Gen Students
- 32%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Central Lakes College-Brainerd? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Central Lakes College-Brainerd is $6,249, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,869. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,264 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $11,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $6,249
- Out-of-State
- $6,249
- Avg Net Price
- $13,869
- Median Debt
- $11,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 14%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 12%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,264
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,454
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,970
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,686
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Central Lakes College-Brainerd — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Central Lakes College-Brainerd Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Central Lakes College-Brainerd report median earnings of $42,162, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $39,389
- 8 Years
- $40,383
- 10 Years
- $42,162
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.26x
- Earning > $25K
- 58%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (181)
- 40%
- 100% (181)
- 40%
- 100% (181)
- 40%
- 100% (181)
- 40%
How Central Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Central Lakes College-Brainerd Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Central Lakes College-Brainerd delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,869/year ($55,476 total). Graduates earn $42,162 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $908,488 in total earnings — a net gain of $853,012 (16.4× your investment). The median debt is $11,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 51% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $55,476
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $908,488
- Net Return
- $853,012
- ROI Multiple
- 16.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,869
- Median Debt
- $11,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $8,752,000
- Investment Income
- $52,000
Top Programs
The fields Central Lakes College-Brainerd awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Humanities 35%
- Health Professions 18% $68,411 early-career
- Transportation 6% $57,702 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 5% $46,679 early-career
- Business & Marketing 4% $35,917 early-career
- Criminal Justice 3% $41,658 early-career
- Precision Production 3% $52,305 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Central Lakes College-Brainerd's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Central Lakes College-Brainerd? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Brainerd, Minnesota, Central Lakes College-Brainerd enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Central Lakes College-Brainerd? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Central Lakes College-Brainerd is $6,249, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,869. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,264 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $11,000 in federal student loans.
Is Central Lakes College-Brainerd Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Central Lakes College-Brainerd report median earnings of $42,162, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
How Connected Is Central Lakes College-Brainerd? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Central Lakes College-Brainerd. Its economic connectedness score is 1.31, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Central Lakes College-Brainerd.
- Northland Community and Technical CollegeThief River Falls, MN · Close peer52% grad $44,425 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Northeast Iowa Community CollegeCalmar, IA · Close peer50% grad $41,306 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Enterprise State Community CollegeEnterprise, AL · Close peer36% grad $42,572 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- North Central Missouri CollegeTrenton, MO · Close peer57% grad $40,837 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Indian Hills Community CollegeOttumwa, IA · Close peer40% grad $40,507 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Alexandria Technical & Community CollegeAlexandria, MN · Close peer60% grad $49,393 earnWhy: similar grad rate · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Central Lakes College-Brainerd? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Central Lakes College-Brainerd. Its economic connectedness score is 1.31, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note