Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Normandale Community College

Should I go to Central Lakes College Brainerd or Normandale Community College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Central Lakes College-Brainerd or Normandale Community College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Inver Hills Community College North Hennepin Community College Hennepin Technical College DCTC Minneapolis Community and Technical College Anoka-Ramsey Community College Century Community and Technical College
Central Lakes College Brainerd vs. Normandale Community College comparison
Central Lakes College Brainerd Normandale Community College College 3 College 4
Normandale Community College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Central Lakes College-Brainerd Normandale Community College
Location Brainerd, MN Bloomington, MN
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 4,633 9,346
Type Public 2 Year Public 2 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clcmn.edu normandale.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Central Lakes College-Brainerd Normandale Community College
Tuition (In State) $5,424 $5,347
Tuition (Out of State) $5,424 $5,347
Room & Board $6,170 $8,630
Avg Net Price $12,326 $11,396
Avg Grant Aid $7,050 $7,283
% Receiving Grant Aid 77% 61%

Admission

 Central Lakes College-Brainerd Normandale Community College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - -
Admitted - -
Acceptance Rate Open Open
Enrolled % Open Open
Avg High School GPA - -
Typical High School Grades - -
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores
Application Deadline Aug 16, 2025

Academics

 Central Lakes College-Brainerd Normandale Community College
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 27:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (35%)
  • Health Professions (25%)
  • Transportation and Materials Moving (6%)
  • (5%)
  • Agriculture (5%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (59%)
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Business (6%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (4%)
  • Education (2%)

Outcomes

 Central Lakes College-Brainerd Normandale Community College
Graduation Rate - -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,600 $41,900
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 48%
Median Student Loan Debt $10,500 $12,267
Median Loan Payment $108 $126

Diversity

 Central Lakes College-Brainerd Normandale Community College
% Men 41% 42%
% Women 59% 58%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 86% 57%
% Black 4% 16%
% Hispanic 3% 10%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

 Central Lakes College-Brainerd Normandale Community College
% In-State 95% 98%
% Out-of-State 4% 2%

Campus

 Central Lakes College-Brainerd Normandale Community College
Campus Housing No No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Normandale Community College is larger than than Central Lakes College-Brainerd based on total student enrollment (9,346 students vs. 4,633 students)

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Normandale Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or Normandale Community College?

  • Central Lakes College Brainerd is 1.4% more expensive to attend than Normandale Community College for in-state tuition ($5,424.00 vs. $5,347.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.4% higher at Central Lakes College-Brainerd than Normandale Community College ($5,424.00 vs. $5,347.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Normandale Community College than Central Lakes College-Brainerd ($11,396 vs. $12,326)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Lakes College Brainerd are 39.9% lower than costs at Normandale Community College ($6,170 vs. $8,630)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Lakes College Brainerd than Normandale Community College (77% vs. 61%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Normandale Community College students is 3.3% larger than aid received Central Lakes College Brainerd ($7,283 vs. $7,050)

Which college is harder to get into, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or Normandale Community College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Normandale Community College or Central Lakes College-Brainerd .

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Normandale Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or Normandale Community College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Normandale Community College and Central Lakes College-Brainerd.

  • Graduates from Normandale Community College earn on average $6,300 more per year than Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates after ten years. ($41,900 vs. $35,600)
  • Central Lakes College Brainerd students graduate with a $1,767 lower median federal student loan debt than Normandale Community College graduates. ($10,500 vs. $12,267)
  • Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than Normandale Community College graduates. ($108 vs. $126)
  • More Normandale 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/