Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota · Public · 94.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 62/100 · Fair Value
Saint Cloud State University scores 62/100 (Fair Value, blue tier), a strong regional Minnesota public ROI driven by an unusually high earnings premium (0.385, 80/100 sub-score) and moderate cost. In-state tuition is just $10,245 with a $13,529 net price (a rare case where net price exceeds tuition modestly due to fees and living costs), and four-year total cost runs $54,116. Median 6-year earnings are $38,000, rising to $55,813 by year 10. Median debt of $21,058 against $55,813 in 10-year earnings produces a 0.554 debt-to-earnings ratio. The 9.3-year payback period and 78.4% three-year repayment rate (65/100) both signal manageable borrower outcomes. The major drag is a 40.3% completion rate (22/100), meaning roughly six in ten enrolling students don't graduate. SCSU serves 5,088 students with a 21.7% Pell rate, suggesting a relatively middle-income regional student body. The program-level data shows strong engineering, nursing, and CS outcomes (B/B+ grades, $74,000-$107,000 four-year earnings) alongside the typical pattern of weaker humanities/arts. For prepared students choosing the right major, SCSU is genuinely a strong value play.
Saint Cloud State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $10,245/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $10,245/yr |
| Average net price | $13,529/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $54,116 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,813 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $38,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,058 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $223 |
| Estimated payback period | 9.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 40.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 5,088 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Saint Cloud State University is $10,245/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $13,529/year, or roughly $54,116 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $8,909/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $18,989/year.
The median graduate leaves with $21,058 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $223 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $55,813 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.55 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,909 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,871 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,034 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,781 |
| $110,001+ | $18,989 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $8,909 net, the lowest bracket and a strong value for low-income MN residents. Combined with Pell stacking and MN State Grant aid, four-year cost of $35,636 against $55,813 in 10-year earnings is genuinely workable, especially in engineering or CS. The 40.3% completion rate remains the main risk.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Households earning $48,001-$75,000 pay $12,034 and $75,001-$110,000 pay $14,781. Middle-income four-year cost of $48,136 to $59,124 against $55,813 earnings is solid value, especially for STEM-track students. SCSU at this tier compares favorably to almost any MN private nonprofit.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $18,989 net, or $75,956 over four years. Full-pay MN families should compare to University of Minnesota Twin Cities for premium-track majors, but SCSU at this tier remains a reasonable value, especially for students seeking smaller class sizes and St. Cloud's regional cost-of-living advantage.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Saint Cloud State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $56,547 | C |
| Registered Nursing | $84,470 | B |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration | $80,331 | B |
| Psychology | $52,031 | C |
| Finance and Financial Management | $70,259 | C+ |
| Teacher Education | $45,386 | C |
| Communication and Media Studies | $56,388 | C |
| Computer Science | $103,765 | B |
| Marketing | $74,847 | C+ |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $66,850 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering produces 25 graduates with $77,792 first-year earnings rising to $107,133 by year four against $27,000 debt for a 0.347 debt-to-earnings ratio and B+ grade. Strong engineering placement at Twin Cities metro tech and defense employers (3M, Medtronic, Honeywell). Top-tier ROI at SCSU.
Registered Nursing
Nursing graduates 88 students with $74,111 first-year and $84,470 four-year earnings against $29,000 debt for a 0.391 debt-to-earnings ratio and B grade. MN healthcare wage market is strong (Mayo, Allina, Fairview), and SCSU's BSN pipeline absorbs graduates well. Reliable high-ROI major for prepared students.
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians
Industrial Production earns SCSU's only A ROI grade: 17 graduates, $69,616 first-year and $73,695 four-year earnings against just $16,084 debt for a 0.231 debt-to-earnings ratio. The low debt level reflects shorter program length and strong working-student profile; the high earnings reflect MN manufacturing demand. Niche but genuinely excellent value.
Computer Science
Computer Science has 48 graduates with $63,287 first-year and a strong $103,765 four-year earnings figure against $27,360 debt for a 0.432 debt-to-earnings ratio and B grade. Twin Cities tech-sector placement drives the year-4 earnings jump. Among the school's most defensible STEM majors.
Psychology
Psychology produces 74 graduates with $33,623 first-year and $52,031 four-year earnings against $20,626 debt for a 0.613 debt-to-earnings ratio and C grade. Notably better than psychology programs at most schools because SCSU's debt level is relatively low. Workable terminal-degree economics for an undergrad psych program, though graduate work still needed for career-track wages.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 74.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 78.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 72.6% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 81.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 94.8% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 515-645 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 510-615 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 17-25 |
| Enrollment | 5,088 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 21.7% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,863 |
Saint Cloud State admits 94.8% of applicants - essentially open enrollment - with SAT mid-ranges of 515-645 math and 510-615 reading, and ACT mid-range 17-25. These ranges span well below to slightly above national medians, signaling a regional-access mission. The 40.3% completion rate is the predictable outcome of near-universal admission paired with broad student preparation: prepared students complete and succeed, especially in engineering and nursing tracks; underprepared students face high attrition risk.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Bemidji State University and Minnesota State University-Mankato are SCSU's direct MN regional-public peers, both scoring in similar Fair Value territory with comparable cost and earnings outcomes. Salem State University (MA), Midwestern State University (TX, now part of UNT system), and Empire State University (NY online-heavy) are out-of-state peers with similar profiles. Across this set, SCSU's strong engineering and computer-science outcomes are real differentiators, and its 0.385 earnings premium is among the highest in the cohort.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Cloud State University (this school) | 62 | $13,529 | $55,813 |
| Midwestern State University | 65 | $11,656 | $55,747 |
| Minnesota State University-Mankato | 62 | $19,139 | $56,922 |
| Empire State University | 61 | $11,676 | $54,080 |
| Bemidji State University | 60 | $15,261 | $53,755 |
| Salem State University | 58 | $15,996 | $56,662 |
Who Thrives Here
Saint Cloud State fits Minnesota residents qualifying for in-state tuition, committed to majors in engineering, computer science, business, nursing, or applied technology, and able to keep net price near the $9,000-$12,000 low-mid income range. With 5,088 students and 21.7% Pell, the school is mid-sized and predominantly middle-income. Twin Cities metro employers absorb graduates well in tech, engineering, and healthcare roles. Students considering humanities, education, or arts majors should compare against community college transfer pathways - those tracks produce only C-grade outcomes at SCSU's cost level. The 40.3% completion rate is the central risk factor.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Saint Cloud State University offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $13,529 per year leads to $54,116 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $55,813 a decade out. The payback period of 9.3 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates. However, the data also shows a 40.3% graduation rate.
Median debt of $21,058 against $55,813 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.