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#6 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

St. Cloud State University Admission Requirements

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

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Your chances of getting into Saint Cloud State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

95.3%
Admission Difficulty for Saint Cloud State University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at St. Cloud State University is 95.3%.  Its admission rate is the 35th lowest in Minnesota.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into St. Cloud State University and can you get accepted?

Saint Cloud State University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 4,583 out of the 4,810 who applied were admitted.

Saint Cloud State University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.4. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 17% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into St. Cloud State University?

95% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Saint Cloud State University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.4 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1110 on the SAT
  • Score 21 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

St. Cloud State University GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.4

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Saint Cloud State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into St. Cloud State University are to have around a 3.4 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.4 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as St. Cloud State University accepts 95% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at St. Cloud State University is 3.4 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #23 in Minnesota for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since St. Cloud State University is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Saint Cloud State University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 7.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 19.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 22.0% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 15.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 11.0% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 20.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 6.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

St. Cloud State University SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Saint Cloud State University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 3% of students submitted SAT scores and 42% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1027-1200

Applicants Submitting SAT 

3%
SAT Scores for Saint Cloud State University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 495
Math 25th Percentile 532
Composite 25th Percentile 1027
SAT Scores for Saint Cloud State University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 580
Math 75th Percentile 620
Composite 75th Percentile 1200
Average SAT Score 1110

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Saint Cloud State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at St. Cloud State University is 1110 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1027-1200. Students who get into Saint Cloud State University score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers..  St. Cloud State University ranks #22 in the state of Minnesota for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1110 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. St. Cloud State University regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1027 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1027, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 940, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Saint Cloud State University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1110 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1113, you have around a 95% chance of being admitted. A 1200 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 97% chance of getting in.

Saint Cloud State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1200 and Above Good >97%
1113 to 1200 Avg + 95%-97%
1027 to 1113 Avg - 91%-95%
941 to 1027 Reach 84%-91%
Less than 941 Low <84%
Calculate My Chances 

St. Cloud State University ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

18-24 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

42%
ACT Scores for Saint Cloud State University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 16
Math 25th Percentile 17
Composite 25th Percentile 18
ACT Scores for Saint Cloud State University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 23
Math 75th Percentile 25
Composite 75th Percentile 24
Average ACT Score 21

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into St. Cloud State University?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to St. Cloud State University is 21, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 18 and 24.  The school ranks #25 in Minnesota for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 21. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 18 and score in the score in the top 62 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 15.

42 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Saint Cloud State University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Saint Cloud State University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into St. Cloud State University for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 21 score has around 95% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 97% with a 24 ACT score.

Saint Cloud State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
24 and Above Good >97%
21 to 24 Avg + 95%-97%
18 to 21 Avg - 91%-95%
15 to 18 Reach 84%-91%
Less than 15 Low <84%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

66% of Saint Cloud State University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 28% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Saint Cloud State University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 8%
Top 25% of class 28%
Top 50% of class 66%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Saint Cloud State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 2,567 2,243 4,810
Accepted 2,447 2,136 4,583
Acceptance Rate 95% 95% 95%
Enrolled 429 342 771
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 18% 16% 17%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

247

Applicants have 247 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Aug 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Saint Cloud State University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Saint Cloud State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Saint Cloud State University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Saint Cloud State University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Saint Cloud State University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.4 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1110 and ACT of 21 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Saint Cloud State University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=174783 IPEDS survey data for Saint Cloud State University.

Last updated February 24, 2024