Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Saint Cloud, Minnesota |
| Online | stcloudstate.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Small City |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, approximately 65 miles northwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul, St. Cloud State University occupies a 100-acre campus along the west bank of the Mississippi River. The campus combines historic granite buildings from its 1869 founding as a normal school with modern academic facilities and residential halls that accommodate students in traditional dormitory and suite-style housing. As Minnesota's second-largest public university, SCSU offers comprehensive undergraduate programs with particular strengths in business, education, and engineering, along with select master's and doctoral degrees. The university maintains specialized facilities including the Integrated Science and Engineering Laboratory Facility and the National Hockey and Event Center, supporting its NCAA Division I men's and women's hockey programs, while other athletic teams compete at the Division II level.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
St. Cloud State University is rated within the lower 48% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Saint Cloud State University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#622 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#204 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#19 in Best Colleges in Minnesota
#6 in Best Public Colleges in Minnesota
#58 in Best Value Colleges in Minnesota
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 970/1280 |
| ACT | 18/25 |
| GPA | 3.4 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Aug 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,400 |
| Other Fees | $1,306 |
| Room and Board | $9,630 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,600 |
| Total One Year Cost | $23,747 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 27% |
| Education | 13% |
| Communication | 8% |
| Psychology | 6% |
| Social Sciences | 5% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering St. Cloud State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=174783 IPEDS survey data for Saint Cloud State University.
Current students may use the Saint Cloud State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025