Anoka-Ramsey Community College vs. Central Lakes College-Brainerd

Comparable Facts

Compare Anoka Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids, MN with Central Lakes College Brainerd in Brainerd, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Anoka Ramsey Community College is larger than Central Lakes College-Brainerd based on total student enrollment (8,486 students vs. 4,981 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Anoka Ramsey Community College is located in Coon Rapids, MN (Large Suburban setting); Central Lakes College Brainerd is in Brainerd, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Anoka Ramsey 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: Anoka Ramsey Community College 26:1; Central Lakes College Brainerd 20:1.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College vs. Central Lakes College-Brainerd Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Anoka-Ramsey Community College 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 Central Lakes College Brainerd than Anoka-Ramsey Community College ($13,691 vs. $15,901).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Lakes College Brainerd are 33.4% lower than at Anoka Ramsey Community College ($9,459 vs. $14,210).
• Central Lakes College Brainerd is 10% more expensive for in-state tuition than Anoka-Ramsey Community College (about $567 more per year; $6,249.00 vs. $5,682.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10% higher at Central Lakes College-Brainerd than at Anoka Ramsey Community College (about $567 more per year; $6,249.00 vs. $5,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Lakes College Brainerd than at Anoka Ramsey Community College (77% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Lakes College Brainerd students is 7.5% larger than aid received by Anoka Ramsey Community College students ($5,579 vs. $5,190).

Anoka-Ramsey Community College vs. Central Lakes College-Brainerd Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Anoka-Ramsey Community College 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 Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

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

Anoka-Ramsey Community College vs. Central Lakes College-Brainerd Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Anoka-Ramsey Community College 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 Anoka Ramsey Community College earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,100 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Lakes College Brainerd graduates have a $3,431 lower median loan debt than Anoka-Ramsey Community College graduates ($10,500 vs. $13,931).
• Among borrowers, Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Anoka-Ramsey Community College graduates ($108 vs. $144).
• More Anoka-Ramsey Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Lakes College-Brainerd students, three years after graduation. (49% 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.