St. Cloud State University (SCSU) is a public university in St. Cloud, Minnesota, with 10,732 students, 8,738 of them undergraduates, in fall 2024. Its pros are near-open admission, ABET-accredited engineering, a strong hockey tradition and a single tuition rate for residents and non-residents; its cons are a steep enrollment decline, major program cuts and low graduation rates.
Below is each pro and con in detail, followed by cost, outcome and accreditation figures from the federal College Navigator database, so you can decide whether St. Cloud State is a good school for you.
St. Cloud State University at a Glance
- Type: 4-year public university in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.
- Location: St. Cloud, Minnesota, classified as “City: Small”.
- History: founded in 1869 as the Third State Normal School; it became a university in 1975.
- Enrollment (fall 2024): 10,732 total, 8,738 undergraduate, 1,994 graduate.
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 18 to 1.
- Admission: 95% of 5,976 applicants were admitted for fall 2024.
Pros: What St. Cloud State Does Well
- Easy to get into. St. Cloud State admitted 95% of applicants for fall 2024. The median ACT composite of enrolled freshmen was 21.
- ABET-accredited engineering. SCSU is the only Minnesota university with an ABET-accredited manufacturing engineering program, and its electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science programs are ABET-accredited too.
- One tuition figure for everyone. College Navigator lists a single tuition-and-fees figure of $10,245 for 2024-2025 rather than a higher out-of-state rate, which makes SCSU worth a look for students outside Minnesota.
- Most freshmen receive grants. In 2023-2024, 87% of full-time beginning students received financial aid and 84% received grants or scholarships, averaging $7,036.
- Division I hockey and a wide club scene. The Huskies’ men’s and women’s hockey teams play in NCAA Division I, the men’s team reached the 2013 Frozen Four, and there are more than 250 student organizations. Other teams compete in Division II in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
- A diverse, international student body. 21% of first-time undergraduates came from outside the United States, which gives the campus an international mix.
Cons: What to Weigh Before You Enroll at St. Cloud State
- A shrinking university. Enrollment fell from roughly 18,000 in 2010 to roughly 10,000 in 2024. The university reported a net loss of $18 million in 2023 and a budget deficit of $14.4 million in 2024.
- Deep program cuts. In response, SCSU cut 42 degree programs, 50 minors and 54 full-time faculty positions and eliminated football. If you have a specific major in mind, confirm it is still offered before you apply.
- Low graduation rates. Of full-time freshmen who began a bachelor’s degree in fall 2018, 25% graduated in four years and 39% in six. The overall graduation rate for that cohort was 40%, and 34% transferred out.
- A thinner traditional campus experience. Only 21% of entering students were counted as full-time, first-time in 2024, and about half of undergraduates attend part-time, so the residential, traditional-college feel is smaller than the headcount suggests.
- Retention is middling. 71% of full-time freshmen who started in fall 2023 returned in fall 2024.
What St. Cloud State Costs: Tuition, Housing and Net Price
| Item (2024-2025 unless noted) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | $10,245 |
| On-campus food and housing | $10,596 |
| Total cost, living on campus | $24,841 |
| Average net price (2023-2024) | $14,735 |
The average net price after grants was $14,735 in 2023-2024. It ranged from $8,909 for families earning up to $30,000 to $18,989 for families earning more than $110,000. Use the university’s net price calculator for your own figure.
Is St. Cloud State University a Good School? What the Numbers Say
St. Cloud State can be a good school for a focused student who wants an accessible, moderately priced public degree in a program SCSU still offers, such as engineering, computer science or business, and who likes the idea of Division I hockey on campus.
The numbers counsel caution, though. A 39% six-year bachelor’s graduation rate for the fall 2018 cohort, 71% freshman retention and a recent round of program and faculty cuts mean students should check that their major is secure and ask how the university supports first-year students before committing.
Who Accredits St. Cloud State University?
St. Cloud State is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with accreditation dating from 1947, and College Navigator lists its next review for 2027. Its engineering and computer science programs are accredited by ABET.
Who St. Cloud State Suits, and Who Should Look Elsewhere
A good fit for: students who need accessible admission, engineering students who want ABET-accredited programs, hockey fans, international students, and part-time or online learners.
Worth comparing alternatives if: you want football, a large full-time residential student body, a major that was affected by the cuts, or a school with higher graduation rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is St. Cloud State hard to get into? No. It admitted 95% of applicants for fall 2024.
- Does St. Cloud State still have football? No. Football was eliminated as part of the budget cuts.
- What conference is St. Cloud State hockey in? The men’s team plays in the NCHC and the women’s team in the WCHA, both NCAA Division I.
- When was St. Cloud State founded? In 1869, as the Third State Normal School.