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Saint Cloud State University
Admission at Saint Cloud State University is close to open (94.8%), which shifts the homework to outcomes: check the $55,813 median earnings below before the application.
Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →
Saint Cloud State University sits in Saint Cloud proper — a public campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it. International students are a visible presence here — 13.9% of undergraduates come from outside the U.S.
Its highest-earning path is Computer Engineering, where graduates median $107,133 four years out. 21.7% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 5,088 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 70.7% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 970 and 1280 — below the MN middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Saint Cloud State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Saint Cloud State University received 5,026 applications and admitted 4,772 (94.9%), with 897 enrolling.
Saint Cloud State University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 970–1280 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Saint Cloud State University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 470 | 520 | 620 |
| SAT Math | 500 | 580 | 660 |
| ACT Composite | 18 | 21 | 25 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Saint Cloud State University compares
| Saint Cloud State University | Minnesota median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 94.8% | 85.4% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $10,245 | $22,520 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $55,813 | $58,351 | $53,781 |
At $55,813, ten-year earnings trail the state median ($58,351). Look at Saint Cloud State University's major-level rows below before reading too much into the campus-wide number.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $10,245 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $10,245. For non-residents, Saint Cloud State University's $10,245 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 5,088 undergrads, Saint Cloud State University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
40.3% graduate within six years. Roughly 60% don't — ask a Saint Cloud State University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Saint Cloud State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $107,133 |
| Computer Science | $103,765 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $90,009 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $87,503 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $84,470 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $80,331 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $78,067 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $76,080 |
| Marketing | $74,847 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $73,695 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $70,259 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $66,850 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $64,191 |
| Biology, General | $62,595 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $59,549 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $59,483 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $58,587 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | $57,108 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $56,547 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $56,388 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | $54,302 |
| Social Work | $52,765 |
| Sociology | $52,455 |
| Psychology, General | $52,031 |
| Public Health | $50,932 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $49,922 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $48,923 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $48,463 |
| Political Science and Government | $48,305 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $48,296 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $47,619 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $45,990 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $45,386 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $44,386 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $38,464 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $35,421 |
Median earnings for these 36 Saint Cloud State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $55,813 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 38 additional Saint Cloud State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Saint Cloud State University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 970–1280 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 94.8% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Saint Cloud State University's acceptance rate?
94.9% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 4,772 admitted from 5,026 applicants.
How much does Saint Cloud State University cost?
In-state tuition is $10,245; out-of-state students pay $10,245. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Saint Cloud State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $55,813 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Minnesota
- Saint Johns University — 90.6% admitted
- Saint Mary's University of Minnesota — 92.8% admitted
- College of Saint Benedict — 91.5% admitted
- The College of Saint Scholastica — 93% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.