Rasmussen University-Minnesota 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 $39,080 at Rasmussen University-Minnesota. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Rasmussen University-Minnesota | Central Lakes College-Brainerd |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,962 | $13,869 |
| Total net cost | $71,848 | $27,738 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,080 | $42,162 |
| Median debt | $20,899 | $11,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$257,448 | -$151,698 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Rasmussen University-Minnesota or Central Lakes College-Brainerd?
Central Lakes College-Brainerd, at $13,869 a year after aid versus $17,962 — a gap of $4,093 a year, or $44,110 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Rasmussen University-Minnesota or Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates earn more?
Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates report a median $42,162 ten years after entry, $3,082 more than the $39,080 at Rasmussen University-Minnesota. 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, Rasmussen University-Minnesota or Central Lakes College-Brainerd?
Central Lakes College-Brainerd: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $20,899 at Rasmussen University-Minnesota, a difference of $9,899. 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 Rasmussen University-Minnesota, 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.