Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Northland Community and Technical College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Lakes College Brainerd in Brainerd, MN with Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Lakes College Brainerd is larger than Northland Community and Technical College based on total student enrollment (4,981 students vs. 2,631 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Lakes College Brainerd is located in Brainerd, MN (Remote Town setting); Northland Community and Technical College is in Thief River Falls, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Central Lakes College Brainerd is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Northland Community and Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Lakes College Brainerd 20:1; Northland Community and Technical College 18:1.

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Northland Community and Technical College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or Northland Community and Technical 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 Central Lakes College Brainerd than Northland Community and Technical College ($13,691 vs. $13,776).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northland Community and Technical College are 1.2% lower than at Central Lakes College Brainerd ($9,342 vs. $9,459).
• Northland Community and Technical College is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central Lakes College-Brainerd (about $40 more per year; $6,289.00 vs. $6,249.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Northland Community and Technical College than at Central Lakes College Brainerd (about $40 more per year; $6,289.00 vs. $6,249.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Lakes College Brainerd than at Northland Community and Technical College (77% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northland Community and Technical College students is 3.1% larger than aid received by Central Lakes College Brainerd students ($5,754 vs. $5,579).

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Northland Community and Technical College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or Northland Community and Technical 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 Northland Community and Technical 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; Northland Community and Technical College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northland Community and Technical College Aug 28, 2027.

Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. Northland Community and Technical College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Lakes College-Brainerd and Northland Community and Technical 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 Northland Community and Technical College earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Lakes College Brainerd graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Northland Community and Technical College graduates ($10,500 vs. $13,000).
• Among borrowers, Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northland Community and Technical College graduates ($108 vs. $134).
• More Northland Community and Technical College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Lakes College-Brainerd students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.