Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College comes closer — median earnings $45,665 against a $25,354 total, vs $42,162 at Central Lakes College-Brainerd. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Central Lakes College-Brainerd | Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,869 | $12,677 |
| Total net cost | $27,738 | $25,354 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,162 | $45,665 |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $14,181 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$151,698 | -$79,254 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College?
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, at $12,677 a year after aid versus $13,869 — a gap of $1,192 a year, or $2,384 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Central Lakes College-Brainerd or Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College graduates earn more?
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College graduates report a median $45,665 ten years after entry, $3,503 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, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College?
Central Lakes College-Brainerd: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $14,181 at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, a difference of $3,181. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
53% of students finish at Central Lakes College-Brainerd, against 26% at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. 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.