Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs Minnesota State College Southeast: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Central Lakes College-Brainerd comes closer — median earnings $42,162 against a $27,738 total, vs $43,613 at Minnesota State College Southeast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Central Lakes College-Brainerd | Minnesota State College Southeast |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,869 | $16,140 |
| Total net cost | $27,738 | $64,560 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,162 | $43,613 |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $12,971 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$151,698 | -$159,500 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or Minnesota State College Southeast?
Central Lakes College-Brainerd, at $13,869 a year after aid versus $16,140 — a gap of $2,271 a year, or $36,822 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 Minnesota State College Southeast graduates earn more?
Minnesota State College Southeast graduates report a median $43,613 ten years after entry, $1,451 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 Minnesota State College Southeast?
Central Lakes College-Brainerd: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $12,971 at Minnesota State College Southeast, a difference of $1,971. 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 47% at Minnesota State College Southeast. 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.