Cost & ROI · 2026
Is Central Lakes College-Brainerd worth it?
Pay $13,869/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $42,162 ten years out — about 3.0× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
Central Lakes College-Brainerd vs Minnesota avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Minnesota college and the typical US college.
| Metric | Central Lakes College-Brainerd | Minnesota avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $13,869 | $18,971 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $42,162 | $53,271 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▲ $11,000 | $18,975 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 53.2% | 52.3% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | — | 74.9% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $78,172 over four years. Most students get $5,674/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $11,000 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 26% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median Central Lakes College-Brainerd grad earns about -$113,520 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about Central Lakes College-Brainerd
The average student at Central Lakes College-Brainerd pays $13,869 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $19,543 published sticker price. That is below the MN average net price of $18,971.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $42,162 — below the MN median of $53,271. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $11,000, roughly $119 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 26% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Minnesota colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of Central Lakes College-Brainerd.
Morris, MN · Public University of Minnesota-Morris A 
North Mankato, MN · Public South Central College A Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at Central Lakes College-Brainerd?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $13,869 per year. That's $5,674/yr in financial aid against the $19,543 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $55,476.
How much do Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates earn a median of $42,162 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 3.0× the annual net cost.
How much debt do Central Lakes College-Brainerd graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $11,000 — about $119/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 12% of students take federal loans.
Is Central Lakes College-Brainerd worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns Central Lakes College-Brainerd a value grade of B — top 48% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $13,869/yr, earn $42,162/yr ten years out, ROI score of 7.60. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at Central Lakes College-Brainerd?
14.5% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 12% take federal student loans. On average, students get $5,674 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at Central Lakes College-Brainerd?
In-state tuition is $6,249 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $6,249 per year — a difference of $0/yr or $0 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at Central Lakes College-Brainerd?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $12,264. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $18,686. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →