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Saint Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University; St. Cloud State; SCSU

Saint Cloud, Minnesota 56301-4498

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Urban

Known for business — excellent value

Saint Cloud State University is a public institution in Saint Cloud with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1091, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 5.2K undergraduates with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

47% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $55,813 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $14,485.

Established
1869
Mascot
Blizzard T. Husky
Type
Public university
Conference
Northern Sun
Division
Division II

Plan Your Visit

95%Acceptance
1091SAT Avg
5,181Students
17:1Student:Faculty
47%Grad Rate
$55,813Earnings 10yr
$14,485Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate95.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1091

Reading & Writing
470620
Math
500660

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 21
1825

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$10,117
Tuition (out-of-state)$10,117
Room & Board$9,630
Books & Supplies$1,400
Total Cost of Attendance$21,389
Average Net Price$14,485
Median Debt at Graduation$21,058
Monthly Payment (10yr)$223

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$9,772
$30–48K$10,298
$48–75K$13,125
$75–110K$17,908
$110K+$20,104

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

75.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

-4.8%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$14,362

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

38

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

10

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

3

Motor Vehicle Theft

4

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

10

Drug Arrests

8

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (160)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

68%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
5,181
Gender Split
53% / 47%
Women / Men
First Generation
27%
Pell Grant Recipients
20%

Race & Ethnicity

White 61%
Black 13%
Hispanic 6%
Asian 4%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 12%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate46.9%
Freshman Retention67.9%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$47,215
10 Years$55,813

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#86
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

FootballSoccerIce hockeyHockey isOlympic hockeyHockey attainHockeyHuskies hockeyCollege hockeyHuskies basketballDivision iiHockey claimsBasketball record

History & Fun Facts

  • Cloud State was founded in 1869 as the Third State Normal School.
  • As more women enrolled and the Old Main building opened in early 1874, the Stearns House was fully converted into a women’s dormitory later that year.
  • In 1898, the school offered a junior college curriculum.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

105Above Average

Estimated from MN state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Minneapolispop. 430K
59 mi(102 min)
Milwaukeepop. 570K
354 mi(614 min)
Chicagopop. 2.7M
413 mi(716 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MSP Minneapolis-St Paul65 mi
MKE Milwaukee358 mi
ORD Chicago O'Hare398 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1165 mi · ~33h 39m drive
New York, NY1066 mi · ~30h 48m drive
Hartford, CT1101 mi · ~31h 48m drive
Providence, RI1161 mi · ~33h 32m drive
Albany, NY1029 mi · ~29h 44m drive
Syracuse, NY905 mi · ~26h 9m drive
Rochester, NY832 mi · ~24h 2m drive
Buffalo, NY777 mi · ~22h 27m drive
Philadelphia, PA1035 mi · ~29h 54m drive
Pittsburgh, PA796 mi · ~23h drive
Harrisburg, PA944 mi · ~27h 16m drive
Newark, NJ1058 mi · ~30h 34m drive
Washington, DC986 mi · ~28h 29m drive
Baltimore, MD991 mi · ~28h 38m drive
Atlanta, GA965 mi · ~27h 53m drive
Charlotte, NC997 mi · ~28h 48m drive
Raleigh, NC1054 mi · ~30h 27m drive
Miami, FL1571 mi · ~45h 23m drive
Orlando, FL1367 mi · ~39h 29m drive
Tampa, FL1374 mi · ~39h 42m drive
Nashville, TN754 mi · ~21h 47m drive
New Orleans, LA1100 mi · ~31h 47m drive
Richmond, VA1023 mi · ~29h 33m drive
Chicago, IL413 mi · ~11h 56m drive
Detroit, MI595 mi · ~17h 11m drive
Minneapolis, MN59 mi · ~1h 42m drive
St. Louis, MO520 mi · ~15h 1m drive
Kansas City, MO446 mi · ~12h 53m drive
Indianapolis, IN569 mi · ~16h 26m drive
Columbus, OH684 mi · ~19h 46m drive
Cleveland, OH683 mi · ~19h 44m drive
Milwaukee, WI354 mi · ~10h 14m drive
Dallas, TX894 mi · ~25h 50m drive
Houston, TX1093 mi · ~31h 35m drive
Austin, TX1074 mi · ~31h 2m drive
San Antonio, TX1139 mi · ~32h 54m drive
Los Angeles, CA1497 mi · ~43h 15m drive
San Francisco, CA1545 mi · ~44h 38m drive
San Diego, CA1510 mi · ~43h 37m drive
Seattle, WA1338 mi · ~38h 39m drive
Portland, OR1373 mi · ~39h 40m drive
Denver, CO681 mi · ~19h 40m drive
Phoenix, AZ1265 mi · ~36h 33m drive
Salt Lake City, UT951 mi · ~27h 28m drive
Honolulu, HI3921 mi · ~113h 16m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

Saint Cloud State University Application Checklist

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