Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Hennepin Technical College

Comparable Facts

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

Central Lakes College Brainerd is larger than Hennepin Technical College based on total student enrollment (4,981 students vs. 4,572 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Lakes College Brainerd is located in Brainerd, MN (Remote Town setting); Hennepin Technical College is in Brooklyn Park, MN (Large Suburban setting).
• Central Lakes College Brainerd is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Hennepin Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Lakes College Brainerd 20:1; Hennepin Technical College 21:1.

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Hennepin Technical College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or Hennepin Technical College? 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 Hennepin Technical College than Central Lakes College-Brainerd ($9,666 vs. $13,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hennepin Technical College are 7.7% lower than at Central Lakes College Brainerd ($8,728 vs. $9,459).
• Central Lakes College Brainerd is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hennepin Technical College (about $309 more per year; $6,249.00 vs. $5,940.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Central Lakes College-Brainerd than at Hennepin Technical College (about $309 more per year; $6,249.00 vs. $5,940.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Lakes College Brainerd than at Hennepin Technical College (77% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hennepin Technical College students is 14.1% larger than aid received by Central Lakes College Brainerd students ($6,364 vs. $5,579).

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Hennepin Technical College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or Hennepin Technical College? 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 Hennepin Technical College 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; Hennepin Technical College - Open admission.

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Hennepin Technical College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Lakes College-Brainerd and Hennepin Technical College? 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 Hennepin Technical College earn a median of about $700 more per year than Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,300 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Lakes College Brainerd graduates have a $1,499 lower median loan debt than Hennepin Technical College graduates ($10,500 vs. $11,999).
• Among borrowers, Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hennepin Technical College graduates ($108 vs. $124).
• More Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hennepin Technical College students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 45%)

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.