Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs. St Cloud Technical and Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Central Lakes College Brainerd is larger than St Cloud Technical and Community College based on total student enrollment (4,981 students vs. 4,030 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Lakes College Brainerd is located in Brainerd, MN (Remote Town setting); St Cloud Technical and Community College is in Saint Cloud, MN (Small City setting).
• Central Lakes College Brainerd is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. St Cloud Technical and Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Lakes College Brainerd 20:1; St Cloud Technical and Community College 23:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or St Cloud Technical and 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 St Cloud Technical and Community College than Central Lakes College-Brainerd ($8,948 vs. $13,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Lakes College Brainerd are 2.3% lower than at St Cloud Technical and Community College ($9,459 vs. $9,680).
• Central Lakes College Brainerd is 2% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Cloud Technical and Community College (about $125 more per year; $6,249.00 vs. $6,124.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at Central Lakes College-Brainerd than at St Cloud Technical and Community College (about $125 more per year; $6,249.00 vs. $6,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Lakes College Brainerd than at St Cloud Technical and Community College (77% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Cloud Technical and Community College students is 1.7% larger than aid received by Central Lakes College Brainerd students ($5,672 vs. $5,579).

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

Which college is harder to get into, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or St Cloud Technical and 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 St Cloud Technical and 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; St Cloud Technical and Community College - Open admission.

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

How do outcomes compare for Central Lakes College-Brainerd and St Cloud Technical and 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 St Cloud Technical and Community College earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,100 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Lakes College Brainerd graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than St Cloud Technical and Community College graduates ($10,500 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Cloud Technical and Community College graduates ($108 vs. $124).
• More St Cloud Technical and Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Lakes College-Brainerd students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.