- 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
Completion Rates
Debt For Students
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:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
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: Highest completion rates and 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
Students
1540 Northway Drive
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 308-5000
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 308-5000
53.0 miles
| 4,846 students
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
| 8,498 students
1601 Jefferson Streeet
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 762-0221
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 762-0221
64.4 miles
| 4,251 students
900 4th St SE
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-5100
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-5100
70.1 miles
| 2,555 students
Itasca Community College
Public
1851 East Highway 169
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 322-2300
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 322-2300
70.6 miles
| 1,058 students
Recent Articles
Unlocking Airport Career Opportunities: Your Guide to Ground Jobs
Discover the diverse range of ground jobs at mid-size U.S. airports, their educational requirements, and how community colleges can prepare you for these exciting careers.
The Real Dollar Value of an Associate Degree
How much is an associate's degree really worth? We calculate and research the ROI of an associate degree specifically, and the results are interesting.
Hands Across California: Community College Students Band Together to Save the System
Facing a monumental budget crisis, California's community college students took matters into their own hands, holding rallies and conferences for Hands Across California.
