Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. DCTC

Comparable Facts

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

Central Lakes College Brainerd is larger than DCTC based on total student enrollment (4,981 students vs. 2,894 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Lakes College Brainerd is located in Brainerd, MN (Remote Town setting); Dakota County Technical College is in Rosemount, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Central Lakes College Brainerd is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Dakota County Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Lakes College Brainerd 20:1; Dakota County Technical College 23:1.

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. DCTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or DCTC? 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 Dakota County Technical College than Central Lakes College-Brainerd ($12,935 vs. $13,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Lakes College Brainerd are 12.4% lower than at Dakota County Technical College ($9,459 vs. $10,800).
• Dakota County Technical College is 6.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central Lakes College-Brainerd (about $430 more per year; $6,679.00 vs. $6,249.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.9% higher at DCTC than at Central Lakes College Brainerd (about $430 more per year; $6,679.00 vs. $6,249.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Lakes College Brainerd than at Dakota County Technical College (77% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dakota County Technical College students is 1.4% larger than aid received by Central Lakes College Brainerd students ($5,655 vs. $5,579).

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. DCTC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or DCTC? 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 DCTC and Central Lakes College-Brainerd.

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

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. DCTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Lakes College-Brainerd and DCTC? 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 Dakota County Technical College earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Lakes College Brainerd graduates have a $270 lower median loan debt than DCTC graduates ($10,500 vs. $10,770).
• Among borrowers, Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DCTC graduates ($108 vs. $111).
• More DCTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Lakes College-Brainerd students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.