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 Rate
85%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
20
SAT Range
930-1170
ACT Range
18-24
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”
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
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
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
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
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.
Anuoluwapo
St Cloud State University is home to a wide range of perspective and diversity. If you are looking to venture into places you would not have ventured before, scsu will take you there. Experiencing difficulties? Faculty and staff are with you every step of the way!
Bailey
I loved attending Saint Cloud State University. The class sizes were small, especially when I was in my major courses. My professors were accessible. The bar scene around campus was a lot of fun. All of the bars are close together so it is easy to bar hop. Rent is inexpensive in the majority of places near campus. Tuition is affordable and I felt that I received a quality education. Saint Cloud provided many job opportunities during school and after graduation.
Rochell
Great. Very experienced professor having alot to share with real life examples. We have accesd to lot of literatures, softwares and standards that otherwise we might need to pay. Classes fully equiped with modern methods of teaching. Lecture are on time and easy to understand.
Pawku
St. Cloud is very diverse school and there is also study abroad opportunities for students to come and to go learn at different country. It is affordable for four year degree each year. For low income students like me, I believe I choose the right school to go to in order to reach my goal.
vang
Saint Cloud State University is a great school. It isn't perfect but we are a big family. Everyone here is accepted and the atmosphere is amazing between students of all colors. We even have a dedicated area for people of color. Everyone here gets along and everyone can have fun with each other. Overall the students are great. You won't ever feel lonely here. As for classes, they are great as well. The professors are open to help anyone with questions.
Breanna
I like Saint Cloud's campus and most faculty, but otherwise there isn't much to brag about. Campus tour my senior year of high school kind of amped it up to be a lot more fun and tight knit than it actually is. The people on campus are really nice and it's easy to make friends, but there isn't much to do.
Nathanial
Beautiful campus, dormitory buildings could use a couple safety inspections, Cracks in the foundation are poorly fixed (Stearns Hall), other halls are small and barely worth the money spent on them. $21K a year, for that price they could upgrade many things.
AnnMarie
St. Cloud State University it a good college for students who are on a budget, but want a good education. It is inexpensive, even though, it has a lot of strong academics and professors who are very easy to get in contact with. The activities and clubs are not the most involving, but it is generally a good school for someone who wants cheap and interactive classes.
Teresa
St. Cloud State University is a very good school and I could say that it is very diverse. I like how people here are always ready to help you when you need help and the professors are easily accessible which is Avery great thing. the environment is very calm and welcoming. there is a lot of things to do on campus and off campus especially on campus when you are involved in different clubs and activities you get to meet new people and learn about new things and different cultures. I love the school and I am looking forward to earn my bachelors degree from here.
Dayton
Cheap school to get an undergrad degree, not a school to go to if you plan on getting in any good graduate degree schools unless you put in double the work. I currently work, take 18 credits, and am president of two clubs and am still worried about getting into a better school for masters.
samantha
I really enjoy my time at St. Cloud State University. Starting here as a freshman the on campus housing and dining is a great transition from living at home. There are many events to attended within the first month and making friends is no problem. Most freshman are taking introductory classes where there are a couple hundred students to one professor but there are student tutors offered almost all day along with professor office hours. My favorite thing about St. Cloud State is all the activities that are available. There are over 300 on campus clubs ranging from academics to sports and recreation to gaming clubs to religious affiliation to Greek life and so much more. With this many clubs and opportunities there really is something for everyone.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Saint Cloud State University is 85%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.64%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.