About Saint Cloud State University

Founded in 1869, Saint Cloud State University. is a Public college. Located in Minnesota, which is a city setting in Minnesota, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 13,878 full time undergraduate students, and 1,866 full time graduate students.

The Saint Cloud State University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 22:1. There are 423 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Saint Cloud State University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate85%
Application Deadline
Application Fee20
SAT Range930-1170
ACT Range18-24

Admissions at SCSU are considered Less Selective, with ,105% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 26 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

58% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 22% were in the top quarter, and 7% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Saint Cloud State University.

0%
“We”re apathetic”
24%
“We know about current events and vote”
68%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
7%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
7%
“We save it for the classroom”
32%
“Sometimes, but not often”
49%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
12%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
10%
“I only go out in groups”
66%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
22%
“I feel extremely safe”
15%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
36%
“We bought the gear”
49%
“We live for the big game”
10%
“It”s not really our thing”
17%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
61%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
12%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
2%
“Available in class”
68%
“They keep regular office hours”
29%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
51%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
46%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
2%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
2%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
22%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
46%
“We only party on weekends”
29%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
7%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
49%
“There might be people who do”
32%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
12%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
24%
“We know about current events and vote”
68%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
7%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
7%
“We save it for the classroom”
32%
“Sometimes, but not often”
49%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
12%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
10%
“I only go out in groups”
66%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
22%
“I feel extremely safe”
15%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
36%
“We bought the gear”
49%
“We live for the big game”
10%
“It”s not really our thing”
17%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
61%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
12%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
2%
“Available in class”
68%
“They keep regular office hours”
29%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
51%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
46%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
2%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
2%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
22%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
46%
“We only party on weekends”
29%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
7%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
49%
“There might be people who do”
32%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
12%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    183 Students rated on-campus housing 3.6 stars. 16 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    142 Students rated off-campus housing 3.9 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    211 Students rated campus food 3.2 stars. 17 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    234 Students rated campus facilities 4.2 stars. 37 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    234 Students rated class size 4.1 stars. 36 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    234 Students rated school activities 4.1 stars. 45 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    235 Students rated local services 4.2 stars. 43 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    234 Students rated academics 4 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.

Saint Cloud State University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Saint Cloud State University?

37 Students rated Saint Cloud State University

Miranda - 09/08/2023

I only just joined this fall, 2023, but so far I'm really enjoying it and I love how welcoming and active the community is. There's a lot of different activities to do around campus, mainly free, and you get the opportunity to meet a lot of different people. There's a lot of international students which is really cool in classes to get a different prospective and hearing about their experiences.

Lindsey - 03/30/2020

SCSU is a very large campus. If you don't like crowds, you won't want to be there. The plus side is that they offer a large variety of classes because they have a large attendance. Once you're in your department, the class size decreases and you can get plenty of 1:1 attention with your professor. I know the science departments were great for that. I never had an issue getting help. They have many tutoring resources available, which I utilized on a regular basis. I lived off campus, so I really can't speak about campus life. Once in a while, I would eat on campus. I loved the salad bar, but they didn't have many options for food. However, there were many off-campus food places to choose from. I attended concerts and hockey games on campus. It is definitely a really social school. They have tons of recreational activities and clubs to join. Overall, I had a great experience and I was happy with the level of academic excellence.

Morgan - 03/14/2020

Saint Cloud State's University is awful. They recently got rid of football and boys/girls' golf teams. They are also closing down one of the dorms Sherburne Hall because apparently, they don't have enough money to sustain the dorm. St. Cloud University's academics are mediocre many teachers shouldn't be teaching. However, some teachers are amazing but very few. The campus isn't safe at all. In my first week of school, we had 3 sexual assaults and cases have still popped up. St. Cloud State is going downhill and I'm going to transfer. Choosing this was the worse decision of my life. I hope to anyone reading this that they take heed to my warnings.

Jasmine - 09/02/2019

Its alright most of the time. I'm mostly here because I need the accessibility in and outside of class. I'm able to get accommodations for my disabilities through Sudent Accessibility Services. Housing is honestly subpar and disappointing, as well at the cafeteria food. The campus bookstore is understaffed, leaving 30+ people in line to buy/return books each day in the first few weeks. Buildings get renovations, but not where its really needed. Sherburne dorm rooms are small and designed poorly. Heat is on at all times during winter, full blast, and unable to be adjusted in any room. Windows are to remain closed at all times during the winter. There are only two outlets to plug in chargers/fridges/TV's/fans/microwaves. There's one kitchen in the basement, consisting of a sink, two microwaves and two ovens with stovetops. The kitchen is always greasy and smells like garbage. The clothes washers and dryers are also in the basement and there are always at least two washers that are leaking water or simply out of order.

Saint Cloud State University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Saint Cloud State University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Saint Cloud State University is 85%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    Overall, I’m very happy with my college experience. However, if I could do one thing differently, I would not choose to start college at an out-of-state university. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself, “College is what you make it!” This statement contains two important points. First, the debt I have accumulated by spending a year paying high out-of-state tuition is going to affect me greatly after graduation. The student loan payments will likely delay my first home purchase, and force me to postpone starting a family. Secondly, what really matters in college is the work invested. Becoming a well-rounded, intelligent individual is what will provide future opportunity--not a fancy university name on a résumé. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to picture how my life will be after college. I would tell myself to take a personal finance course. I would tell myself that, to a point, it really doesn’t matter what university I attend, as long as I work hard.

    Read all 419 answers

  3. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The parking is horrible. New students/faculity have to park in the last parking lot that is the furthest away from everything. It does not feel safe walking to it in the dark. Some of the class sizes are way to big.

    Read all 83 answers

  4. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    SCSU is a warm and welcoming campus, and a fantastic place to earn my degree.

    Read all 77 answers

  5. Describe the students at your school.

    They are very friendly and focused on their schoolwork.

    Read all 71 answers

  6. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    When looking at different schools, for me the most important aspects were the size of the campus and what the dorms looked liked. At least, that was the case until i visited St. Cloud State. Other schools I had looked at did have some really nice dorms, and I was sure that picking my school was going to be a very tough decision. Once I visited St. Cloud I fell in love with the campus, I felt like I was right at home. I knew this is where I wanted to go.

    Read all 69 answers

  7. What's unique about your campus?

    I like how there is so much opportunity and help. During welcome week for Freshmen their program they have set up most definitely helps you get established and feel comfortable with the campus. Also I like how it is a University, but yet the campus isn't to big where I get losted or feel out of place. The departments are also very helpful with your questions and they dont juggle you around.

    Read all 68 answers

  8. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    There isn't a person that shouldn't attend this school St. Cloud State University has something for every person. This is also the school where you can find yourself and what you may want to be. A person that may not want to attend this school may be someone who is not looking for climate change or someone who is already through college. However students wanting change would love this school.

    Read all 66 answers

  9. What kind of person should attend this school?

    The kind of person that should attend this school I would reccomend is someone who is looking to go into business. We have a great business program that is offered with many clubs and organizations that help you boost your resume and get you internships and experience. It can be very time consuming so someone who is serious about their future is someone who should attend this school.

    Read all 58 answers

  10. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    The immensity of it. How many opportunities and major options that I did not know about. It caused me to spend almost a whole semester just wrestling down what department I should go for. It was huge and amazing. But it was also well designed to help someone find their way through it.

    Read all 57 answers

  11. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    This is a very low cost school compared to others in the State. Yet it is a large university that offers everything the other large universitys offer

    Read all 56 answers

  12. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Saint Cloud State University is best known for its hockey team. Hockey is a really big thing up in MN and SCSU is very involved in the sport.

    Read all 56 answers

  13. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    What's frustrating about Cornish College of the Arts? Only a few small things: the lack of support for composting; and expensive lab fee's

    Read all 42 answers

  14. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    =-=-=`=-``=

    Read all 6 answers

  15. What are the academics like at your school?

    ====

    Read all 6 answers

  16. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    My overall opinion of the school is wonderful, I love attending school here. At first I didn't like it and if I could change one thing it would be the quality of some of the professors and how different each section of the same course is handled based on who is teaching it. The best part about the school is the size, it's small enough to be easy to get around the entire campus quickly but still large enough to have lots of programs and athletic teams. Most people don't think too great of the school so they aren't impressed when I tell them I attend but many of the programs at the school are highly accredited and the school has a lot to offer despite the bad reputation it has, especially in the St. Cloud area. The town is certainly a college town and theirs not a whole lot to do besides shop, go out to eat, or go to the bars. The school has a lot of spirit especially when it comes to our division 1 hockey program, which is where I spend a lot of time. Attending the athletic events is always a blast! Most of the staff at the school is extremely helpful and friendly, although theirs a few professors that aren't the best (but honestly thats anywhere) most professors will assist you to ensure you succeed in their course. The University also has lots of help centers for various subjects, one I find extremely helpful is the Write Place, where they proof-read and assist in any type of paper you might need help with. I'll never forget how much fun I have at all of the hockey games, and how loud the Hockey Center gets when our rivals come to town!

    Read all 5 answers

  17. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    Students at St. Cloud State University are stereotyped as people who love to party, and party often. The school gets a horrible reputation because of this and it's certainly not true! Our school is a dry campus (so alcohol isn't allowed in campus housing). People do certainly party in places nearby off-campus and downtown is only a short walk away but not everyone parties, and it's easy to meet people who don't by attending other events instead of parties.

    Read all 5 answers

  18. Why did you decide to go to this school?

    One of my high school friend recommend this university. I'm loving it from the day one, I mean it!

    Read all 4 answers

  19. What's the hardest thing about freshman year?

    -==-

    Read all 2 answers

  20. What do people really wear to class?

    =-=

    Read all 2 answers

  21. Tell us about the sports scene on campus.

    Sports is my passion and the sports scene on campus is great no matter what season! The school has a decent football team to watch in the fall, an exciting division one hockey program to watch in the winter, and a phenomenal baseball team to watch in the spring. Not only does the school have awesome athletics but the community also has lots of opportunities to catch NA3HL hockey and Northwoods League amateur baseball. Lots of intramural sports are also present on campus and an awesome fitness center!

    Read all 2 answers

Student Body

Students

54%

female

46%

male

13,878

Total Undergrad Enrollment

1,866

Total Grad Students

13%

Out-Of-State

86%

In-State

1%

International

Organizations

230

Student Organizations

5

Fraternities

4

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

20%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
5%
% Black or African-American
6%
% Hispanic/Latino
3%
% White or Caucasian
73%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

88% of students attending Saint Cloud State University receive some sort of financial aid. 39% were awarded federal grants. While 64% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$15,828

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,200

Books and Supplies

$8,230

Room and Board

25,258

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$11,087
$30 - $48K
$11,549
$48 - $75K
$13,811
$75 - $110K
$17,110
$110K & UP
$17,853

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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