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Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN·Public·5,181 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 5,181 students.

95%
Accept
5,181
Students
$14,485
Net Price
47%
Grad Rate
$48,600
Earnings
10 yr
$14,362
Debt

About This School

Saint Cloud State University is a public institution located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota with approximately 5,181 undergraduate students enrolled. Saint Cloud State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 95%. The average net price after financial aid is $14,485 per year. The graduation rate is 47%, and the typical graduate earns $48,600 within 10 years of enrollment.

St. Cloud State University (SCSU) is a public university in St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1869, the university is one of the largest institutions in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. In the fall of 2023, it enrolled 8,430 undergraduate and 2,084 graduate students.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: the 47% graduation rate and 68% freshman retention rate suggest that many students who start here don't finish, which is a real concern worth discussing before enrolling. On the positive side, the average net price of $14,485/year is genuinely affordable, and median debt at graduation sits at a manageable $14,362 — so if you do complete your degree, you're not buried in loans. Worth considering if you have a clear plan and support system in place, but ask the admissions office directly what resources exist to help students stay on track.

Founded
1869
Setting
Small city

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing19%
Health Professions11%
Computer Science8%
Education8%
Psychology6%
Engineering5%
Biological Sciences4%
Communications4%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Richard Dean AndersonJohn HawkesHalima AdenRyan MaloneMatt HendricksMatt CullenNick BegichODBLeo KottkeNyakim GatwechAndreas NödlTyler Arnason

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1091
Reading 75th %ile620
Math 75th %ile660

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite21

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$10,117
Out-of-State Tuition
$10,117
Avg Net Price
$14,485
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants20%
Median debt at graduation$14,362

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
47%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
68%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$48,600
after enrollment
Median Debt
$14,362
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$14,362
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$38,000
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$48,600
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 3.4x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White61%
Black13%
Hispanic/Latino6%
Asian4%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (5,181 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Saint Cloud State University

720 Fourth Ave. South

Saint Cloud, MN 56301-4498

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Minnesota

Browse all Minnesota schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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