Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Inver Hills Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Lakes College Brainerd in Brainerd, MN with Inver Hills Community College in Inver Grove Heights, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Lakes College Brainerd is larger than Inver Hills Community College based on total student enrollment (4,981 students vs. 3,804 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Lakes College Brainerd is located in Brainerd, MN (Remote Town setting); Inver Hills Community College is in Inver Grove Heights, MN (Large Suburban setting).
• Central Lakes College Brainerd is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Inver Hills Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Lakes College Brainerd 20:1; Inver Hills Community College 20:1.

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Inver Hills Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or Inver Hills Community 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 Inver Hills Community College than Central Lakes College-Brainerd ($11,432 vs. $13,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Lakes College Brainerd are 12.4% lower than at Inver Hills Community College ($9,459 vs. $10,800).
• Central Lakes College Brainerd is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Inver Hills Community College (about $103 more per year; $6,249.00 vs. $6,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at Central Lakes College-Brainerd than at Inver Hills Community College (about $103 more per year; $6,249.00 vs. $6,146.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Lakes College Brainerd than at Inver Hills Community College (77% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Lakes College Brainerd students is 0.6% larger than aid received by Inver Hills Community College students ($5,579 vs. $5,546).

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Inver Hills Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or Inver Hills Community 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 Inver Hills Community 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; Inver Hills Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Inver Hills Community College Aug 15, 2027.

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Inver Hills Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Lakes College-Brainerd and Inver Hills Community 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 Inver Hills Community College earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,400 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Lakes College Brainerd graduates have a $1,648 lower median loan debt than Inver Hills Community College graduates ($10,500 vs. $12,148).
• Among borrowers, Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Inver Hills Community College graduates ($108 vs. $125).
• More Inver Hills Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Lakes College-Brainerd students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.