- 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 4,981 students (34% of students are full-time).
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 43%.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Enrollment: 4,981 students
- In-state tuition: $5,757
- Out-state tuition: $5,757
- Minority enrollment: 17%
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Central Lakes College-Brainerd ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Debt For Students
School Overview
The teacher population of 92 teachers has declined by 26% over five years.
Central Lakes College-Brainerd
(MN) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
92 staff
94 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Central Lakes College-Brainerd has declined by 10% over five years.
The Central Lakes College-Brainerd diversity score of 0.30 is more than the state average of 0.00. The school's diversity has grown by 9% over five years.
Total Enrollment
4,981 students
2,882 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
54:1
36:1
# Full-Time Students
1,696 students
1,168 students
# Part-Time Students
3,285 students
1,714 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
253 students
301 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,696 students
1,143 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
3,285 students
1,714 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
1%
% Asian
1%
6%
% Hispanic
3%
8%
% Black
3%
16%
% White
83%
57%
% Two or more races
3%
4%
% Unknown races
6%
7%
Diversity Score
0.30
0.00
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
47%
34%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$34,800
$36,100
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $5,757 is more than the state average of $5,530. 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 $6,060. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$5,757
$5,530
Out-State Tuition Fees
$5,757
$6,060
Tuition Notes
Based on a 15 credits per term for two terms.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
88%
87%
Median Debt for Graduates
$10,473
$12,750
Median Debt for Dropouts
$6,102
$6,752
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
2 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Arts and Music Programs:
BandChoir
Source: 2025 (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 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.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to Central Lakes College-Brainerd is St Cloud Technical and Community College (53.0 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
1540 Northway Drive
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 308-5000
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 308-5000
53.0 miles
Enrollment: 4,030 students Student-teacher ratio: 35:1 In-state tuition: $5,308 Out-state tuition: $5,308 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rasmussen University-Minnesota
Private for-profit
226 Park Avenue South
St. Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 251-5600
St. Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 251-5600
55.2 miles
Enrollment: 9,416 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Private-state tuition: $10,764 Minority enrollment: 59%
1601 Jefferson Streeet
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 762-0221
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 762-0221
64.4 miles
Enrollment: 4,704 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Acceptance rate: 100% In-state tuition: $6,115 Out-state tuition: $6,115 Minority enrollment: 15%
900 4th St SE
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-5100
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-5100
70.1 miles
Enrollment: 1,794 students Student-teacher ratio: 50:1 In-state tuition: $4,065 Out-state tuition: $7,741 Minority enrollment: 29%
Leech Lake Tribal College
Public
6945 Little Wolf Road NW
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-4200
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-4200
75.4 miles
Enrollment: 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Acceptance rate: 80% Minority enrollment: 95%
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