Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Minnesota North College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Lakes College Brainerd in Brainerd, MN with Minnesota North College in Hibbing, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Lakes College Brainerd is larger than Minnesota North College based on total student enrollment (4,981 students vs. 3,174 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Lakes College Brainerd is located in Brainerd, MN (Remote Town setting); Minnesota North College is in Hibbing, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Central Lakes College Brainerd is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Minnesota North College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Lakes College Brainerd 20:1; Minnesota North College 17:1.

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Minnesota North College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or Minnesota North 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 Minnesota North College than Central Lakes College-Brainerd ($9,766 vs. $13,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota North College are 14.7% lower than at Central Lakes College Brainerd ($8,066 vs. $9,459).
• Central Lakes College Brainerd is 3.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Minnesota North College (about $227 more per year; $6,249.00 vs. $6,022.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at Central Lakes College-Brainerd than at Minnesota North College (about $227 more per year; $6,249.00 vs. $6,022.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Lakes College Brainerd than at Minnesota North College (77% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minnesota North College students is 12.7% larger than aid received by Central Lakes College Brainerd students ($6,289 vs. $5,579).

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Minnesota North College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or Minnesota North 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 Minnesota North 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; Minnesota North College - Open admission.

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Minnesota North College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Lakes College-Brainerd and Minnesota North 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 Minnesota North College earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,900 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 Minnesota North College 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 Minnesota North College graduates ($108 vs. $124).
• More Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota North College students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 43%)

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.