Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Saint Cloud State University at a Glance
St. Cloud State University (SCSU) is a public university in St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1869, the university is one of the largest institutions in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. In the fall of 2023, it enrolled 8,430 undergraduate and 2,084 graduate students.
1869
157 years old
10,164
8,209 undergrad · 1,955 grad
331
100 acres
Identity
Is Saint Cloud State University Worth It?
Saint Cloud State University offers moderate value at $13,529/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $55,813, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 44% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 95% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Saint Cloud State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #49 of 136 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | Solano Community College | 83 | $4,669 | $44,170 |
| #5 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #6 | California State University-Channel Islands | 83 | $9,849 | $62,152 |
| #49 | Saint Cloud State University | 45 | $13,529 | $55,813 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Saint Cloud State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in MN.
Best Programs at Saint Cloud State University
The highest-earning program at Saint Cloud State University is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $64,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Film/Video and Photographic Arts at $21,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from Saint Cloud State University earns $64,700, while a Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduate earns $21,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $17,125 in median debt vs. $26,130 for Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,529/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $64,700 | $64,700 | $17,125 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $63,900 | $63,900 | $25,088 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $62,100 | $62,100 | $27,625 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $62,000 | $62,000 | N/A |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $59,400 | $59,400 | $22,132 |
| Computer Science | $57,500 | $57,500 | $21,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $52,800 | $52,800 | $21,500 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $43,900 | $43,900 | $29,424 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $42,100 | $42,100 | $21,500 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $41,300 | $41,300 | $19,971 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,100 | $41,100 | $23,990 |
| Marketing | $40,400 | $40,400 | $21,500 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $40,200 | $40,200 | $22,475 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $40,100 | $40,100 | $22,425 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $40,000 | $40,000 | $21,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $37,500 | $37,500 | $25,500 |
| Biology, General | $36,700 | $36,700 | $20,468 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $36,200 | $36,200 | $25,483 |
| Social Work | $36,100 | $36,100 | $21,433 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,800 | $35,800 | $24,043 |
| Public Health | $34,500 | $34,500 | $21,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,400 | $34,400 | $23,800 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $34,200 | $34,200 | $20,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $34,100 | $34,100 | $21,003 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $33,100 | $33,100 | $26,541 |
| Psychology, General | $32,400 | $32,400 | $18,590 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $31,500 | $31,500 | $16,684 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $30,600 | $30,600 | $28,000 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $28,300 | $28,300 | $25,290 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $25,800 | $25,800 | $22,883 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $23,000 | $23,000 | $21,969 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $21,800 | $21,800 | $26,130 |
Similar Colleges in MN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Saint Cloud, MN
- Student Body
- 5,088 students
- Admission Rate
- 95%
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,529
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,813
- Median Student Debt
- $21,058