Central Lakes College-Brainerd
A good choice overall. It ranks 135 of 812 two-year colleges on student outcomes, with an overall score of 62.7 out of 100.
These three answers are rules of thumb from the numbers below, not advice for any one student or major.
What do students really think?
You have seen the federal numbers for Central Lakes College-Brainerd. Now hear from people who went there, or add your own experience. Anonymous, no account.
Would you choose it again? That is the first question the rating form asks.
Why it is good
- Debt is manageable: graduates owe a typical $9,500 in federal loans against earnings of $46,663.
Why it is bad
- Expensive: the average student pays about $15,556 a year after grants, more than at 68% of two-year colleges.
The numbers
What these figures measure
Graduation rate: share of all students, full-time or part-time, who finish within 8 years. Return for year 2: share of first-time, full-time students who come back for a second year. Earnings: median pay about 10 years after starting, for students who received federal aid. Debt: median federal loan debt among those who finish. Net price: average yearly cost after grants and scholarships. All from the U.S. Education Department College Scorecard, institution file dated November 2, 2026.
Programs and early earnings
Associate degrees: largest programs
| Field | Graduates a year | Earnings, 2 yrs after | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 298 | $33,370 | $11,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 82 | $57,576 | $17,450 |
| Precision Metal Working | 11 | $44,021 | n/a |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 10 | $35,060 | n/a |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 9 | n/a | n/a |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 9 | n/a | n/a |
Certificates and diplomas: largest programs
| Field | Graduates a year | Earnings, 2 yrs after | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Business and Management | 71 | n/a | n/a |
| Ground Transportation | 49 | $48,563 | $9,500 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 40 | $39,286 | $5,500 |
| Precision Metal Working | 31 | $44,468 | $5,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 20 | n/a | n/a |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | 16 | n/a | n/a |
Earnings are the median pay two years after completing, for graduates who were working and not enrolled again. The federal government hides figures for small programs, shown as n/a. Fields are broad groups, so a college may offer several majors inside one.
Students and reviews
Numbers cannot tell you about teaching, dorms or campus life. Read and write anonymous student reviews for Central Lakes College-Brainerd, or ask and answer questions about it. Other sources:
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The grade reflects outcomes for the average student compared with other two-year colleges. Individual majors can be much better or worse.