Anoka Technical College vs Central Lakes College-Brainerd: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Anoka Technical College comes closer — median earnings $47,746 against a $67,812 total, vs $42,162 at Central Lakes College-Brainerd. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Anoka Technical College | Central Lakes College-Brainerd |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,953 | $13,869 |
| Total net cost | $67,812 | $27,738 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,746 | $42,162 |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $11,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$80,092 | -$151,698 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Anoka Technical College or Central Lakes College-Brainerd?
Central Lakes College-Brainerd, at $13,869 a year after aid versus $16,953 — a gap of $3,084 a year, or $40,074 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Anoka Technical College or Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates earn more?
Anoka Technical College graduates report a median $47,746 ten years after entry, $5,584 more than the $42,162 at Central Lakes College-Brainerd. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Anoka Technical College or Central Lakes College-Brainerd?
Completers at both borrow a median $11,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.
Which graduates more of its students?
66% of students finish at Anoka Technical College, against 53% at Central Lakes College-Brainerd. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.