Central Lakes College-Brainerd Photo #1

Central Lakes College-Brainerd

501 West College Drive
Brainerd, MN 56401
Top Ranked (2025): View Rankings
  • Central Lakes College is a full-service, comprehensive community and technical college. We offer a mix of technical college and community college programs and courses from campuses in Brainerd and Staples. As a comprehensive two-year college, we promote success for our students, businesses, and communities. Our dedicated and competent employees provide opportunities for students to prepare for the future by learning the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for living and earning. Some graduates of Central Lakes College transfer to Minnesota state universities or other colleges to complete four-year degrees. Other students at our college take a career path from more than 60 professional programs leading immediately to rewarding employment. We are part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, which is a network of 32 two-year and four-year state colleges and universities serving over 374,000 students in credit & non-credit courses on 53 campuses in 46 communities across Minnesota.

School Highlights

Central Lakes College-Brainerd serves 5,825 students (28% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 46:1 is higher than the state community college average of 22:1.
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 42%.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • Enrollment: 5,825 students
  • In-state tuition: $5,757
  • Out-state tuition: $5,757
  • Student:teacher ratio: 46:1
  • Minority enrollment: 16%
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Central Lakes College-Brainerd ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Minnesota for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

The teacher population of 126 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Central Lakes College-Brainerd
(MN) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Career & Technical-High Nontraditional
Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Career & Technical-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
126 staff
171 staff
School Calendar

Student Body

The student population of Central Lakes College-Brainerd has grown by 33% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 46:1 has increased from 36:1 over five years.
The Central Lakes College-Brainerd diversity score of 0.29 is less than the state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has grown by 13% over five years.
Total Enrollment
5,825 students
2,858 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
46:1
22:1
# Full-Time Students
1,629 students
1,050 students
# Part-Time Students
4,196 students
1,808 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
582 students
420 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,629 students
915 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
38 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
4,196 students
1,771 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
12 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
116 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
1%
% Asian
1%
6%
% Hispanic
3%
8%
% Black
3%
15%
% White
84%
58%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
3%
4%
% Non Resident races
n/a
1%
% Unknown races
5%
6%
Diversity Score
0.29
0.63
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
47%
34%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
57%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$34,800
$36,900

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $5,757 is more than the state average of $5,489. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $5,757 is less than the state average of $6,145. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$5,757
$5,489
Out-State Tuition Fees
$5,757
$6,145
Tuition Notes
Based on a 15 credits per term for two terms.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
85%
89%
Median Debt for Graduates
$10,473
$12,264
Median Debt for Dropouts
$6,102
$6,750
Acceptance Rate
n/a
94%
SAT Reading
n/a
625
SAT Math
n/a
600
SAT Writing
n/a
565
ACT Composite
n/a
24
ACT English
n/a
24
ACT Math
n/a
23
ACT Writing
n/a
8

Sports

Total Sports Offered
5 sports
Sports
Baseball, Basketball, Football, Softball, Volleyball

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
30 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Accounting Club, Art Club, Astronomy Club, Civic Engagement Club, CLC Computer Club, CLC Lions Club, Creative Imaging Club, Diesel Technicians Club, Diversity Club, Equality Coalition, Fishing Club, Global Connectsion Club, Heavy Equipment Club, Horticulture Club, Marine and Powersports, Marine Trades Club, Medical Assistants Club, Natural Resources Club, Nursing Club, Phi Theta Kappa, PN Nursing Club, PSeO Club, Psychology Club, Right Brain Media Club, Robotics Club, Sociability and Friends, Welding Club

Arts and Music Programs:
Choir

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Intramural Basketball, Trap Shooting Club
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators

School Notes

  • With a knowledgeable, caring faculty and modern, results-oriented programs in comfortable facilities, CLC is the college of choice for seekers of success. Our roots are deep in a tradition dating to 1938 in Brainerd and 1950 in Staples. Communities across central Minnesota are filled with our graduates. While maintaining quality in degrees (Associate in Arts, Associate in Applied Science, Associate in Science), CLC responds to student need by scheduling relevant courses at convenient times and locations. Access is crucial to provide the service students deserve. The college offers more than 70 degrees and career education programs recognized through industry standards. The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, following a site team evaluation in 2002, accredited CLC for 10 more years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Central Lakes College-Brainerd cost?
Central Lakes College-Brainerd's tuition is approximately $5,757 for In-State students and $5,757 for Out-State students.
What sports does Central Lakes College-Brainerd offer?
Central Lakes College-Brainerd offers 5 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Softball and Volleyball.
What is Central Lakes College-Brainerd's ranking?
Central Lakes College-Brainerd ranks among the top 20% of community college in Minnesota for: Least debt for graduating students.

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • Enrollment: 5,825 students
  • In-state tuition: $5,757
  • Out-state tuition: $5,757
  • Student:teacher ratio: 46:1
  • Minority enrollment: 16%
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

For Minnesota public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $5,489 per year for in-state students and $6,145 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $17,300 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in Minnesota is 84%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

Minnesota community colleges have a diversity score of 0.63, which is lower than the national average of 0.74. The most diverse community college in Minnesota is Globe University-Minneapolis. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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