Northwest Technical College vs. Central Lakes College-Brainerd

Comparable Facts

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

Central Lakes College Brainerd is larger than Northwest Technical College based on total student enrollment (4,981 students vs. 978 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest Technical College is located in Bemidji, MN (Remote Town setting); Central Lakes College Brainerd is in Brainerd, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Northwest Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Central Lakes College Brainerd is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwest Technical College 16:1; Central Lakes College Brainerd 20:1.

Northwest Technical College vs. Central Lakes College-Brainerd Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwest Technical College or Central Lakes College-Brainerd? 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 Northwest Technical College than Central Lakes College-Brainerd ($8,910 vs. $13,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Lakes College Brainerd are 15.7% lower than at Northwest Technical College ($9,459 vs. $11,216).
• Northwest Technical College is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central Lakes College-Brainerd (about $5 more per year; $6,254.00 vs. $6,249.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Northwest Technical College than at Central Lakes College Brainerd (about $5 more per year; $6,254.00 vs. $6,249.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Lakes College Brainerd than at Northwest Technical College (77% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Technical College students is 21.6% larger than aid received by Central Lakes College Brainerd students ($6,786 vs. $5,579).

Northwest Technical College vs. Central Lakes College-Brainerd Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwest Technical College or Central Lakes College-Brainerd? 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 Central Lakes College-Brainerd and Northwest Technical College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwest Technical College - Open admission; Central Lakes College-Brainerd - Open admission.

Northwest Technical College vs. Central Lakes College-Brainerd Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwest Technical College and Central Lakes College-Brainerd? 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Lakes College Brainerd graduates have a $1,739 lower median loan debt than Northwest Technical College graduates ($10,500 vs. $12,239).
• Among borrowers, Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest Technical College graduates ($108 vs. $126).
• More Northwest Technical College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Lakes College-Brainerd students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.