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St. Cloud , MN
St. Cloud State University (SCSU) is located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and is the largest public university in the region. Established in 1869, SCSU has a rich history and a strong reputation for providing quality education to its diverse student population. The university offers more than 200 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, ensuring that students have a wide range of options to choose from.
At SCSU, students benefit from a comprehensive education that emphasizes both academic excellence and practical experience. The university is known for its strong programs in business, education, engineering, health sciences, and the arts. SCSU prides itself on its commitment to experiential learning, providing students with ample opportunities for internships, research projects, and community engagement.
Beyond academics, St. Cloud State University also offers a vibrant campus life. With over 200 student organizations and clubs, students can choose to engage in political, cultural, academic, or recreational activities according to their interests. The campus also hosts numerous events and activities throughout the year, creating a dynamic and lively environment for students to connect and grow.
Overall, St. Cloud State University is a reputable institution that provides a well-rounded education and fosters a sense of community among its students. With its diverse range of programs, emphasis on experiential learning, and vibrant campus life, SCSU offers students an enriching and fulfilling college experience.
Located in St. Cloud, MN and set in a suburban environment, St. Cloud State University is a public university. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 94%. The freshman retention rate at St. Cloud State University is 70% and the six-year graduation rate is 39%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is August 15. Here are some recent data on important things to consider about St. Cloud State University.
Quick Facts
8,209
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
20:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
39%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to increase your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the university's criteria for admission. Check out some vital facts about admission at St. Cloud State University.
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 5,665 in 2025. St. Cloud State University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them.
Test Scores
1% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 22% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 5% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 39% between 1,200 and 1,399, 61% between 1,000 and 1,199, 16% of the students between 800 and 999, and 5% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 6, 25 between 24-29, 43 in the range between 18-23, and 26 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the admitted students in 2025 was 22 while the average GPA was 3.3. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into St. Cloud State University; the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 530 and an average SAT Math score of 535.
Deadlines
The last day for submitting applications to this school is August 15.
Retention Rate
The percentage of new students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. When creating your list of possible schools to attend, make sure to consider the freshmen retention rate.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for St. Cloud State University was 70%.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 39%.
Student Body
Making the decision of which school is the right place for you is not simple. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school enrolled 10,164 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 10% for that year. There was a total of 8,209 undergrad students, including 709 international students. The school reported to have a total of 626 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 2,151 male and 2,740 female full-time students in 2025. There were 257 full-time graduate male and 379 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 211 Asian students and 657 Afro-American students in 2025. 270 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 206 identified with more than one race. The school also had 1 student who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 21 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 35 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for St. Cloud State University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $9,386, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $19,912 for students coming from a different state. If you are an international student at St. Cloud State University, you should know that the 2025 tuition came to $19,912, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students reached $1,472 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $19,912 | $1,472 | $21,384 |
| In-State | $9,386 | $1,472 | $10,858 |
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to consider is the approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university. The estimated price of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,400.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What do schools typically charge for accommodation and meals?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at St. Cloud State University was $11,130 in 2025. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school amounted to $6,720, according to the data from 2025.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 9,386 |
| Room and Board | $ 11,130 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,400 |
| Total Expense | $ 21,916 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial support for students. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid you might get at St. Cloud State University.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 484 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $16,572.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet some eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
2,019 students received some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at St. Cloud State University isn't available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 2,040. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $13,174,627, and state $12,086,959. The students of St. Cloud State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $137,885, and external in the amount of $6,113.
$2,407
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 1,257 students overall (including freshmen) at St. Cloud State University in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 403 full-time freshmen. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $13,174,627 while the state aid is $836,708. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $7,172,118. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $1,011,442 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
20:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at St. Cloud State University was 20:1: that means 20 students per one teacher. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 458. Out of that number, there were 226 men and 232 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at St. Cloud State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at St. Cloud State University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about students' life at St. Cloud State University.
It has a campus size of 100 acres.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 202. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. The student organization that attracts the greatest number of students is KVSC - Campus Radio Station, followed by College Panhellenic Council and International Student Association. Other popular student organizations at this school are Residence Hall Association and Nepalese Student Association.
Students who like music can join the St. Cloud State University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? St. Cloud State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
St. Cloud State University provides a number of services vital for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of St. Cloud State University.
All in all, campus life at St. Cloud State University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at St. Cloud State University.
Career Counselling
At St. Cloud State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career.
FAQ
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St. Cloud State University is located in St. Cloud, MN.
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St. Cloud State University doesn't offer need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for St. Cloud State University is 94%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for St. Cloud State University is 70%.
Contact Information
St. Cloud State University
720 4th Avenue South
St. Cloud , MN
56301-4498
302 308-0121
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
