Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs Martin Luther College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Martin Luther College comes closer — median earnings $47,491 against a $73,852 total, vs $42,162 at Central Lakes College-Brainerd. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Central Lakes College-Brainerd | Martin Luther College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,869 | $18,463 |
| Total net cost | $27,738 | $73,852 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,162 | $47,491 |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $20,177 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$151,698 | -$91,232 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or Martin Luther College?
Central Lakes College-Brainerd, at $13,869 a year after aid versus $18,463 — a gap of $4,594 a year, or $46,114 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 Martin Luther College graduates earn more?
Martin Luther College graduates report a median $47,491 ten years after entry, $5,329 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 Martin Luther College?
Central Lakes College-Brainerd: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $20,177 at Martin Luther College, a difference of $9,177. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
72% of students finish at Martin Luther 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.