Minneapolis Community and Technical College vs Central Lakes College-Brainerd: 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 $40,086 at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Minneapolis Community and Technical College | Central Lakes College-Brainerd |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,812 | $13,869 |
| Total net cost | $55,248 | $27,738 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,086 | $42,162 |
| Median debt | $17,954 | $11,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$220,728 | -$151,698 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Minneapolis Community and Technical College or Central Lakes College-Brainerd?
Minneapolis Community and Technical College, at $13,812 a year after aid versus $13,869 — a gap of $57 a year, or $27,510 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Minneapolis Community and Technical College or Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates earn more?
Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates report a median $42,162 ten years after entry, $2,076 more than the $40,086 at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. 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, Minneapolis Community and Technical College or Central Lakes College-Brainerd?
Central Lakes College-Brainerd: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $17,954 at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, a difference of $6,954. 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 20% at Minneapolis Community and 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.