C+
Above Average
Score: 57/100
Overall (traditional)
C
Outcome Rating
47/100 · earnings-weighted

Saint Cloud State University

4-Year Public
📍 Saint Cloud, Minnesota 56301
Outcomes
C+
64/100
Affordability
C+
58/100
Resources
C
51/100
Experience
B+
81/100
Prestige
D
36/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

10,514
Total Enrollment
47%
Graduation Rate
68%
Retention Rate
17.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
95%
Acceptance Rate
$14,648
Avg Net Price
🏠 Housing Market Near Saint Cloud State University ▼

11% of first-year students live off campus and not with family (U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS). Upper-year students at most universities move off campus at much higher rates, so near-campus rental demand is typically larger than this figure suggests.

Avg Home Value
$312,414
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,297
1-Year Change
+2.7%

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at Saint Cloud State University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$55,813
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$47,215
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$21,058
Median debt at graduation
40.3%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
1,092
Average SAT
21
Median ACT
21.7%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 38% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 42nd percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (MN wage index 1.10). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at Saint Cloud State University

Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Computer Engineering$77,792$107,133-2%#89 of 189#125$24,215
Computer Science$63,287$103,765-3%#145 of 349#186$25,463
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$69,943$90,009-11%#238 of 258#238$20,800
Mechanical Engineering$70,179$87,503-5%#253 of 318#282$24,122
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$74,111$84,470-5%#552 of 966#812$24,525
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management$56,987$80,331-6%#54 of 99#66$24,516
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions$74,147$78,067+3%#34 of 93#55$19,347
Accounting and Related Services$58,497$76,080+-0%#332 of 796#450$23,051
Marketing$47,453$74,847+8%#124 of 516#183$20,000
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians$69,616$73,695-9%#41 of 51#46$14,574
Finance and Financial Management Services$52,502$70,259-16%#338 of 452#393$22,250
Criminal Justice and Corrections$49,412$66,850+21%#53 of 660#80$18,250
Business Administration, Management and Operations$47,473$64,191-6%#613 of 1176#779$19,831
Biology$44,166$62,595+9%#265 of 841#357$21,546
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$43,555$59,549+8%#74 of 265#90$20,850
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions$42,002$59,483-16%#176 of 253#197$26,496
Business/Commerce$59,378—————
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services—$58,587-1%#109 of 215#166$15,300
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology—$57,108-6%#11 of 16#15—
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies$42,192$56,547+2%#83 of 207#117$22,550
Communication and Media Studies$40,279$56,388+0%#262 of 660#345$23,250
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management—$54,302+8%#13 of 55#27$21,500
Social Work$43,726$52,765+2%#184 of 420#322$24,300
Sociology—$52,455+-0%#222 of 462#285—
Psychology$33,623$52,031+3%#396 of 1027#567$16,250
Public Health$32,830$50,932-13%#162 of 215#184$15,000
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions$50,058————$26,421
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology$42,406$49,922-1%#36 of 59#43$20,471
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$43,279$48,923-5%#221 of 345#306$25,591
International Relations and National Security Studies—$48,463-27%#111 of 118#114$18,250
Political Science and Government$28,991$48,305-24%#538 of 565#550$20,375
Special Education and Teaching$46,662$48,296-4%#124 of 177#153$21,650
Fine and Studio Arts$30,051$47,619+15%#80 of 423#121$27,576
Design and Applied Arts$34,627$45,990-11%#222 of 299#244—
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$40,580$45,386-4%#471 of 680#610$23,250
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology$24,862$44,386-9%#52 of 62#54$25,312
English Language and Literature$28,145$38,464-21%#526 of 576#559$16,325
Film/Video and Photographic Arts$26,332$35,421-19%#131 of 144#137—

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The Saint Cloud State University Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $312,414
  • Avg rent near campus: $1,297/mo — vs ~$664/mo campus room rate
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 56374 (4.7% cap, Saint Joseph)

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🏆 Where Saint Cloud State University Ranks

Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.

🥉
Community Psychology
of 6 schools

Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $8,811 $8,811
Room $5,980
Board $3,650
Total Cost (On-Campus) $23,747 $23,747

Financial Aid

81%
Receive Any Aid
34%
Receive Pell Grants
43%
Take Out Loans
$14,648
Avg Net Price

Net Price by Family Income

Family Income Average Net Price
$0 - $30,000$9,772
$30,001 - $48,000$10,298
$48,001 - $75,000$13,125
$75,001 - $110,000$17,908
$110,001+$20,104

Student Demographics

10,514
Total Students
57%
Women
52%
Traditional Age (18-24)
11%
Off-Campus Renters

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 61%
Hispanic 4%
Black 8%
Asian 4%
Two or More 3%
Non-Resident 12%

🏠 Living Arrangements

On Campus 60%
Off-Campus (Renters) 11%
With Family 29%
🏘️ Rental Demand: ~1,188 students need off-campus housing

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 47%
Hybrid (Some Online) 36%
Fully Online 17%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 52%
25-64 (Adult) 13%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Saint Cloud State University?
Saint Cloud State University has an acceptance rate of 95%. This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend Saint Cloud State University?
Tuition at Saint Cloud State University is $8,811 for in-state students and $8,811 for out-of-state students . However, the average net price after financial aid is $14,648.
What is the graduation rate at Saint Cloud State University?
The graduation rate at Saint Cloud State University is 47%. This graduation rate is below average. Consider factors like program type and student demographics when evaluating.
Is Saint Cloud State University a good school?
Saint Cloud State University has a Repit College Score of 57/100 (Grade: C+). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (C+): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (C+): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (B+): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (D): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Saint Cloud State University?
Saint Cloud State University has a total enrollment of 10,514 students.
Is there rental demand near Saint Cloud State University?
Yes! Approximately 11% of students at Saint Cloud State University live off-campus (not with family). That's roughly 1,188 students who need rental housing near campus.

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Saint Cloud State University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

🎓 Similar Colleges to Saint Cloud State University

Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.

C+
Minnesota State University-Mankato
Mankato, MN · 14,709 students
C+
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Moorhead, MN · 4,410 students
C+
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, MN · 3,926 students
C+
University of Minnesota-Duluth
Duluth, MN · 9,350 students
C+
Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall, MN · 7,324 students
B
Winona State University
Winona, MN · 6,058 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology