Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. LSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Lakes College Brainerd in Brainerd, MN with Lake Superior College in Duluth, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Lakes College Brainerd is larger than LSC based on total student enrollment (4,981 students vs. 4,074 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Lakes College Brainerd is located in Brainerd, MN (Remote Town setting); Lake Superior College is in Duluth, MN (Small City setting).
• Central Lakes College Brainerd is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Lake Superior College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Lakes College Brainerd 20:1; Lake Superior College 19:1.

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. LSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or LSC? 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 LSC ($13,691 vs. $14,131).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Lakes College Brainerd are 3.9% lower than at Lake Superior College ($9,459 vs. $9,839).
• Central Lakes College Brainerd is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than LSC (about $464 more per year; $6,249.00 vs. $5,785.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8% higher at Central Lakes College-Brainerd than at Lake Superior College (about $464 more per year; $6,249.00 vs. $5,785.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Lakes College Brainerd than at Lake Superior College (77% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Lakes College Brainerd students is 0.5% larger than aid received by Lake Superior College students ($5,579 vs. $5,552).

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. LSC Admissions comparison

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

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. LSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Lakes College-Brainerd and LSC? 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 Lake Superior College earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,700 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Lakes College Brainerd graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than LSC graduates ($10,500 vs. $14,000).
• Among borrowers, Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LSC graduates ($108 vs. $144).
• More LSC 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.