Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Normandale Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Normandale Community College is larger than Central Lakes College-Brainerd based on total student enrollment (11,026 students vs. 4,981 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Lakes College Brainerd is located in Brainerd, MN (Remote Town setting); Normandale Community College is in Bloomington, MN (Small City setting).
• Central Lakes College Brainerd is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Normandale Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Lakes College Brainerd 20:1; Normandale Community College 31:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or Normandale 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 Normandale Community College than Central Lakes College-Brainerd ($12,789 vs. $13,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Lakes College Brainerd are 3.9% lower than at Normandale Community College ($9,459 vs. $9,839).
• Normandale Community College is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central Lakes College-Brainerd (about $80 more per year; $6,329.00 vs. $6,249.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Normandale Community College than at Central Lakes College Brainerd (about $80 more per year; $6,329.00 vs. $6,249.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Lakes College Brainerd than at Normandale Community College (77% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Normandale Community College students is 9.3% larger than aid received by Central Lakes College Brainerd students ($6,098 vs. $5,579).

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Normandale Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or Normandale 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 Normandale 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; Normandale Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Normandale Community College Aug 16, 2027.

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

How do outcomes compare for Central Lakes College-Brainerd and Normandale 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 Normandale Community College earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,900 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Lakes College Brainerd graduates have a $1,767 lower median loan debt than Normandale Community College graduates ($10,500 vs. $12,267).
• Among borrowers, Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.