Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs Nova Academy of Cosmetology: 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 $32,156 at Nova Academy of Cosmetology. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Central Lakes College-Brainerd | Nova Academy of Cosmetology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,869 | $21,473 |
| Total net cost | $27,738 | $85,892 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,162 | $32,156 |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $9,424 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$151,698 | -$409,972 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Central Lakes College-Brainerd or Nova Academy of Cosmetology?
Central Lakes College-Brainerd, at $13,869 a year after aid versus $21,473 — a gap of $7,604 a year, or $58,154 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 Nova Academy of Cosmetology graduates earn more?
Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates report a median $42,162 ten years after entry, $10,006 more than the $32,156 at Nova Academy of Cosmetology. 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 Nova Academy of Cosmetology?
Nova Academy of Cosmetology: its completers carry a median $9,424 in federal loans versus $11,000 at Central Lakes College-Brainerd, a difference of $1,576. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at Nova Academy of Cosmetology, 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.