Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. North Hennepin Community College

Comparable Facts

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

North Hennepin Community College is larger than Central Lakes College-Brainerd based on total student enrollment (5,563 students vs. 4,981 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Lakes College Brainerd is located in Brainerd, MN (Remote Town setting); North Hennepin Community College is in Brooklyn Park, MN (Large Suburban setting).
• Central Lakes College Brainerd is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. North Hennepin Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Lakes College Brainerd 20:1; North Hennepin Community College 24:1.

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. North Hennepin Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or North Hennepin 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 North Hennepin Community College than Central Lakes College-Brainerd ($11,872 vs. $13,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Lakes College Brainerd are 31% lower than at North Hennepin Community College ($9,459 vs. $13,707).
• Central Lakes College Brainerd is 23.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than North Hennepin Community College (about $1,188 more per year; $6,249.00 vs. $5,061.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.5% higher at Central Lakes College-Brainerd than at North Hennepin Community College (about $1,188 more per year; $6,249.00 vs. $5,061.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Lakes College Brainerd than at North Hennepin Community College (77% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by students is the same at Central Lakes College Brainerd and North Hennepin Community College ($5,579).

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. North Hennepin Community College Admissions comparison

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

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. North Hennepin Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Lakes College-Brainerd and North Hennepin 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 North Hennepin Community College earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Lakes College Brainerd graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than North Hennepin Community College graduates ($10,500 vs. $15,500).
• Among borrowers, Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than North Hennepin Community College graduates ($108 vs. $160).
• More Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Hennepin Community 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.