About this college
Central Lakes College-Brainerd is a public institution in Brainerd, MN. College In 2 focuses on its certificate and associate-degree pathways so students can compare the cost and earnings of shorter routes into a career or further education.
Who it serves
Students exploring career-focused certificates and two-year degrees, including people comparing affordable local pathways, career changes, and options that can lead directly to work or continued study.
Programs with graduate earnings
8
Certificate and associate pathways shown below
Average net price / year
$13,869
Use the family-income table below for a more relevant estimate
Program value
Rated by program
Compare earnings with estimated total cost
Compare pathways
Programs & graduate outcomes
Start with value, earnings and cost. Then check whether the program fits the way you want to learn and work.
Value Rating
Good Value
2.2× earnings / cost
Earnings after 1 year from graduation
$60,937
Earnings after 5 years from graduation
$69,839
Est. total cost
$27,738
Net price × program length
Median debt
N/A
Math in school
N/A
Math on job
Moderate
Work characteristics
Physical Requirements: Moderate
Writing: Moderate
Customer Interaction: Moderate
Outdoors: Low
Irregular schedule: Low
Remote potential: Moderate
Value Rating
Good Value
1.9× earnings / cost
Earnings after 1 year from graduation
$53,757
Earnings after 5 years from graduation
$73,046
Est. total cost
$27,738
Net price × program length
Median debt
$19,391
Math in school
Moderate
Math on job
Moderate
Work characteristics
Physical Requirements: Moderate
Writing: High
Customer Interaction: High
Outdoors: Low
Irregular schedule: Low
Remote potential: Moderate
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
2 to less than 4 year certificate
Value Rating
Poor Value
0.9× earnings / cost
Earnings after 1 year from graduation
$51,968
Earnings after 5 years from graduation
$67,690
Est. total cost
$55,337
Net price × program length
Median debt
$10,952
Math in school
N/A
Math on job
Moderate
Work characteristics
Physical Requirements: Moderate
Writing: Moderate
Customer Interaction: Moderate
Outdoors: High
Irregular schedule: Low
Remote potential: Low
Value Rating
Good Value
1.6× earnings / cost
Earnings after 1 year from graduation
$43,734
Earnings after 5 years from graduation
$64,339
Est. total cost
$27,738
Net price × program length
Median debt
N/A
Math in school
N/A
Math on job
Moderate
Work characteristics
Physical Requirements: High
Writing: Moderate
Customer Interaction: Low
Outdoors: Low
Irregular schedule: Low
Remote potential: Low
Value Rating
Poor Value
1.5× earnings / cost
Earnings after 1 year from graduation
$41,201
Earnings after 5 years from graduation
N/A
Est. total cost
$27,738
Net price × program length
Median debt
$14,500
Math in school
N/A
Math on job
Low
Work characteristics
Physical Requirements: Low
Writing: High
Customer Interaction: High
Outdoors: Moderate
Irregular schedule: Low
Remote potential: High
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Varies
Value Rating
N/AValue not rated
Earnings after 1 year from graduation
$40,329
Earnings after 5 years from graduation
$39,887
Est. total cost
N/A
Net price × program length
Median debt
N/A
Math in school
Moderate
Math on job
Low
Work characteristics
Physical Requirements: High
Writing: Moderate
Customer Interaction: High
Outdoors: Low
Irregular schedule: Low
Remote potential: Moderate
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Varies
Value Rating
N/AValue not rated
Earnings after 1 year from graduation
$38,812
Earnings after 5 years from graduation
$55,050
Est. total cost
N/A
Net price × program length
Median debt
$6,500
Math in school
N/A
Math on job
Moderate
Work characteristics
Physical Requirements: High
Writing: Moderate
Customer Interaction: Moderate
Outdoors: Moderate
Irregular schedule: Low
Remote potential: Low
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
1 to less than 2 year certificate
Value Rating
Poor Value
1.3× earnings / cost
Earnings after 1 year from graduation
$35,623
Earnings after 5 years from graduation
$52,189
Est. total cost
$27,599
Net price × program length
Median debt
N/A
Math in school
Moderate
Math on job
Moderate
Work characteristics
Physical Requirements: Moderate
Writing: Moderate
Customer Interaction: High
Outdoors: Low
Irregular schedule: Low
Remote potential: Low
How the fit ratings work
Math in school is a cautious estimate of the amount of math typically required in the field; individual colleges can require different courses. Math on the job and the work-characteristic ratings reflect occupations commonly associated with the field using official occupational data. Remote potential describes typical work patterns and does not mean a particular employer offers remote work.
Campus safety
Compared with other colleges
Above Average
Reported safety incidents per 1,000 students / year0.3
3-year reported incidents4
Official U.S. Department of Education campus-safety data through 2024. The rate is the annualized number of institution-reported on-campus criminal offenses per 1,000 students across the latest three reported years. The comparison label shows how that reported rate compares with other matched colleges. It is not a safety grade, and reporting practices, campus setting and campus structure can differ.