Saint Cloud State University
#7 Best Engineering Colleges in Minnesota- Graduation Rate
- 44% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $55,813 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $13,529 C+
- 21% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 95% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 25.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $25.3 over 20 years. Ranked #7 in Best Engineering Colleges in Minnesota.
Every $1 spent returns $25.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,313,718.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 37% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 44% — 23% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $25.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Saint Cloud State University Matters
Saint Cloud State University is a public university in Saint Cloud, MN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 5,088
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Humanities, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Saint Cloud State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 95% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1025–1260. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,529 a year after grants and scholarships — 21% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $55,813 ten years after enrolling — 37% above the typical college, against $21,058 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.63 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
Saint Cloud State University is an excellent choice for students looking for a supportive environment with practical programs. With an acceptance rate of 95%, it welcomes a diverse range of applicants. Here, students can dive into fields like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology, Computer Science & IT, and Humanities. It’s a place where you can find the right fit for your interests and career goals.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $55,813 after ten years. This figure is a solid indicator of potential success in the job market. The affordability of Saint Cloud State also stands out, with a net price of $13,529. While the graduation rate is 44%, many students find their footing and build promising careers, reflecting the school's focus on practical skills and marketable degrees.
When it comes to finances, the median debt for graduates is $21,058, which is manageable compared to many institutions. The cost after aid makes it accessible, especially for those receiving Pell Grants, which represent 22% of the student body. Students who thrive here are often those who appreciate a blend of academic rigor and hands-on learning, ready to engage with their communities and the workforce.
Rankings
- #7 Best Engineering Colleges in Minnesota
- #12 Best Communications Colleges in Minnesota
- #14 Best Online Colleges in Minnesota
- #15 Most Affordable Colleges in Minnesota
- #15 Best Computer Science Colleges in Minnesota
- #15 Best Data Science Colleges in Minnesota
- #18 Best Psychology Colleges in Minnesota
- #18 Best Biology Colleges in Minnesota
Can I Get In?
How selective Saint Cloud State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Saint Cloud State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Saint Cloud State University, located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 95%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,092. The graduation rate is roughly 44%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 95%
- Retention Rate
- 71%
- SAT Average
- 1092
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- SAT Range
- 1025–1260
- ACT Range
- 17–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 64%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,863
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.61
- First-Gen Students
- 27%
- Applicants
- 4,810
- Admitted
- 4,583
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Saint Cloud State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Saint Cloud State University is $10,245, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,529. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,909 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,058 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,245
- Out-of-State
- $10,245
- Avg Net Price
- $13,529
- Median Debt
- $21,058
- Pell Grant Rate
- 22%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 24%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $8,909
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,871
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,034
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,989
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Saint Cloud State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Saint Cloud State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $55,813, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $47,215
- 8 Years
- $51,694
- 10 Years
- $55,813
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.38x
- Earning > $25K
- 75%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (356)
- 22%
- 100% (356)
- 22%
- 100% (356)
- 22%
- 100% (356)
- 22%
How Saint Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Saint Cloud State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Saint Cloud State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,529/year ($54,116 total). Graduates earn $55,813 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,367,834 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,313,718 (25.3× your investment). The median debt is $21,058, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 44% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $54,116
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,367,834
- Net Return
- $1,313,718
- ROI Multiple
- 25.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,529
- Median Debt
- $21,058
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $219,000
Top Programs
The fields Saint Cloud State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 18% $69,535 early-career
- Health Professions 11% $78,869 early-career
- Humanities 9% $29,935 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 8% $70,404 early-career
- Education 7% $50,448 early-career
- Psychology 7% $43,697 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5% $45,495 early-career
- Engineering 5% $83,184 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Saint Cloud State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Saint Cloud State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Saint Cloud State University, located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 95%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,092. The graduation rate is roughly 44%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Saint Cloud State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Saint Cloud State University is $10,245, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,529. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,909 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,058 in federal student loans.
Is Saint Cloud State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $55,813, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Saint Cloud State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Saint Cloud State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.63, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Saint Cloud State University.
- East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaEast Stroudsburg, PA · Close peer44% grad $56,148 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Rhode Island CollegeProvidence, RI · Close peer47% grad $56,318 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Midwestern State UniversityWichita Falls, TX · Close peer42% grad $55,747 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of Texas Permian BasinOdessa, TX · Close peer42% grad $56,073 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Salem State UniversitySalem, MA · Close peer52% grad $56,662 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Eastern Washington UniversityCheney, WA · Close peer45% grad $57,897 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Saint Cloud State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Saint Cloud State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.63, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note