Central Lakes College-Brainerd
Brainerd, Minnesota
Central Lakes College-Brainerd is a public institution in Brainerd, Minnesota with 1,486 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $6,209 compared with a Minnesota nursing-school average of $17,452. The school reports a graduation rate of 47.7%, median earnings of $42,162, and median federal debt of $11,000.
$6,209 is lower than the state average of $17,452.
47.7% is lower than the state average of 51.0%.
$42,162 is lower than the state average of $49,426.
About Central Lakes College-Brainerd
| Location | Brainerd, Minnesota |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | associate |
| Website | www.clcmn.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $6,209 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $6,209 |
| Total Enrollment | 1,486 |
| Acceptance Rate | N/A |
| Graduation Rate | 47.7% |
| Retention Rate | 64.7% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $42,162 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,000 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $116 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 14.5% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 12.3% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.3 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
14.5% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 12.3% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at Central Lakes College-Brainerd depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $24,836, while the reported median debt is $11,000 with an estimated monthly payment of $116. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among White students (81.3%), followed by Black students (6.9%) and Hispanic students (3.0%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($42,162) divided by median debt ($11,000)