[3] Central Lakes College in Brainerd includes courses in the liberal arts and sciences with an Associate in Arts degree and Minnesota Transfer Curriculum for transfers to a four-year college.

The college also included many unique degrees such as Underwater Diving along with an assortment of "green" environmental and ecological courses.

Staples community college is mostly technical programs with Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees, diplomas and certifications including robotics, heavy equipment operation, and diesel technology as well as a smaller liberal arts program Associate in Arts (AA).

There is NJCAA Volleyball, Football, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, and Clay Target.

[8] Central Lakes College in Brainerd collaborated with Southwest Minnesota State University to establish a 2 + 2 articulation agreement in Theatre Arts.