Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs Northwest Technical College: 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 $42,930 at Northwest Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Central Lakes College-Brainerd | Northwest Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,869 | $10,996 |
| Total net cost | $27,738 | $43,984 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,162 | $42,930 |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $15,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$151,698 | -$152,584 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or Northwest Technical College?
Northwest Technical College, at $10,996 a year after aid versus $13,869 — a gap of $2,873 a year, or $16,246 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 Northwest Technical College graduates earn more?
Northwest Technical College graduates report a median $42,930 ten years after entry, $768 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 Northwest Technical College?
Central Lakes College-Brainerd: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $15,000 at Northwest Technical College, a difference of $4,000. 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 50% at Northwest Technical 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.