Central Lakes College-Brainerd
About Central Lakes College-Brainerd
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Central Lakes College teaches in the lake country of central Minnesota, from Brainerd and Staples. Nursing and precision metalworking are among its largest programs.
Founded
1938
Location
Brainerd, Minnesota
Students
1,614
Institution
Community College
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
Open
Admits all qualified applicants
Graduation Rate
53.2%
Below national average
Tuition
$6,249
Per year
Avg Net Price
$13,869
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not required
No test scores requested
Median Earnings
$42,162
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Open Admission
Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate
How to Apply
Test Policy
No test needed
Application Fee
Free
Early
N/A
Deadline
Rolling
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Average
53.2% complete their degree within three years
Retention
68.6%
Transfer Out
11%
Teaching Quality
18:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
56.2%
$/Student
$7.7K
Class Size
Medium
53.2% of students graduate on time. That's above the national average, but researching academic support resources before you enroll is always a smart move.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$6,249
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
No on-campus housing
Books & Supplies
$1,000
Total Cost of Attendance
$19,543
After Financial Aid
$13,869
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$12,264
Receive Grants
14.5%
Take Loans
12%
Tuition is $6,249/yr, and after aid the average student pays about $13,869.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Central Lakes College-Brainerd fund their education.
While in School
14.5%
Get Grants
Free money
12%
Take Loans
Must repay
$30,463
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$11,000
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$117/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $11,000, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Central Lakes College-Brainerd.
Gender
53.8%
Female
46%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
1,614
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
31.7%
First-Gen
24 yrs
Avg Age
12.3%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (54% women, 46% men). 31.7% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
Town: Remote
Campus Quick Facts
1,614
Students
community
Institution
Small
Campus Size
N/A
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
No
ROTC
No
Evening College
No
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Central Lakes College-Brainerd fields 5 varsity teams with 111 student athletes, about 7% of the student body.
Division
NJCAA
Division III
Conference
Not reported
Only collected for NCAA and NAIA teams
Varsity Sports
5
Biggest: Football
Student Athletes
111
7% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
67% / 33%
74
Men
37
Women
3
Men's Teams
3
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Central Lakes College-Brainerdearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$42,162
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
$26K
298 grads
1yr Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
$68K
82 grads
1yr Earnings
Precision Metal Working
$60K
11 grads
4yr Earnings
Criminal Justice and Corrections
$58K
10 grads
4yr Earnings
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
—
9 grads
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians
—
9 grads
Graduates earn about $39K six years out, growing to $42K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Lakes College-Brainerd
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How much do Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.