ATCC vs. Central Lakes College-Brainerd

Comparable Facts

Compare Alexandria Technical & Community College in Alexandria, MN with Central Lakes College Brainerd in Brainerd, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Lakes College Brainerd is larger than ATCC based on total student enrollment (4,981 students vs. 3,281 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alexandria Technical & Community College is located in Alexandria, MN (Rural Fringe setting); Central Lakes College Brainerd is in Brainerd, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Alexandria Technical & Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Central Lakes College Brainerd is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alexandria Technical & Community College 22:1; Central Lakes College Brainerd 20:1.

ATCC vs. Central Lakes College-Brainerd Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ATCC or Central Lakes College-Brainerd? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Alexandria Technical & Community College than Central Lakes College-Brainerd ($13,560 vs. $13,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Lakes College Brainerd are 5.6% lower than at Alexandria Technical & Community College ($9,459 vs. $10,024).
• Central Lakes College Brainerd is 0.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ATCC (about $13 more per year; $6,249.00 vs. $6,236.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Central Lakes College-Brainerd than at Alexandria Technical & Community College (about $13 more per year; $6,249.00 vs. $6,236.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Lakes College Brainerd than at Alexandria Technical & Community College (77% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Lakes College Brainerd students is 4.3% larger than aid received by Alexandria Technical & Community College students ($5,579 vs. $5,351).

ATCC vs. Central Lakes College-Brainerd Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ATCC or Central Lakes College-Brainerd? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Central Lakes College-Brainerd and ATCC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ATCC - Open admission; Central Lakes College-Brainerd - Open admission.

ATCC vs. Central Lakes College-Brainerd Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ATCC and Central Lakes College-Brainerd? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Alexandria Technical & Community College earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Lakes College Brainerd graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than ATCC graduates ($10,500 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ATCC graduates ($108 vs. $124).
• More ATCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Lakes College-Brainerd students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.