Minnesota North College vs Central Lakes College-Brainerd: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Minnesota North College comes closer — median earnings $45,570 against a $20,864 total, vs $42,162 at Central Lakes College-Brainerd. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Minnesota North College | Central Lakes College-Brainerd |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,432 | $13,869 |
| Total net cost | $20,864 | $27,738 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,570 | $42,162 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $11,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$76,664 | -$151,698 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Minnesota North College or Central Lakes College-Brainerd?
Minnesota North College, at $10,432 a year after aid versus $13,869 — a gap of $3,437 a year, or $6,874 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Minnesota North College or Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates earn more?
Minnesota North College graduates report a median $45,570 ten years after entry, $3,408 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, Minnesota North College or Central Lakes College-Brainerd?
Central Lakes College-Brainerd: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $12,000 at Minnesota North College, a difference of $1,000. 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 42% at Minnesota North 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.