Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Saint Cloud State University #619 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,787 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Saint Cloud State University in the 69.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Saint Cloud State University #645 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Saint Cloud State University #619 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public master's university in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, Saint Cloud State University enrolls roughly 5,088 undergraduates. Retention stands at 70.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 40.3%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional public institution. Where Saint Cloud State University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Saint Cloud State University #722 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $59,194, and Saint Cloud State University sits in the 69.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program mix is anchored in Business, which represents a substantial share of degrees and drives strong early-career outcomes for graduates entering stable, well-paying fields. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Saint Cloud State University sits in the 27.3 percentile for access and the 82.2 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Yet 21.7% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 26.8% are first-generation college students, signaling meaningful access for low-income and first-generation learners. For families seeking a public master's university with solid long-term earnings outcomes and a business-focused curriculum, Saint Cloud State University offers a straightforward path to degree completion and career entry in the Upper Midwest labor market.
Saint Cloud State University's published cost of attendance is $21,116. Net price by income band reflects the institution's public-tuition structure and need-based aid reach: low-income families pay approximately $8,909, middle-income families pay around $12,034, and higher-income families pay approximately $18,989. Azimuth ranks Saint Cloud State University #255 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,058, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $11,598; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $59,194, median federal debt of $21,058 projects to a monthly payment of about $238 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Saint Cloud State University is a strong fit for students interested in business, education, and applied fields who want a public university experience in MN. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $59,194, placing Saint Cloud State University in the 39.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,787 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 69.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 21.7% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 26.8% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Saint Cloud State University in the 58.6 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure not yet updated to the 4-year horizon. Saint Cloud State University's program portfolio is concentrated in Business — students interested in these fields will find strong regional rankings and earnings outcomes.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Saint Cloud State University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Saint Cloud State University's published cost of attendance is $21,116. Net price by income band reflects the institution's public-tuition structure and need-based aid reach: low-income families pay approximately $8,909, middle-income families pay around $12,034, and higher-income families pay approximately $18,989.
Azimuth ranks Saint Cloud State University #255 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,058, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $11,598; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $59,194, median federal debt of $21,058 projects to a monthly payment of about $238 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn median 4-year earnings of $59,194, placing Saint Cloud State University in the 39.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,787 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Saint Cloud State University in the 69.4 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Saint Cloud State University #722 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Those figures represent lifetime returns relative to MN's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $35,273 (the state median earnings of working adults with only a high school credential).
The earnings pattern centers on business and applied professional fields. Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management is the institution's largest program by aggregate return, combining substantial enrollment with solid mid-career pay.
The Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management program graduates 101 students earning median 4-year earnings of $80,331, which runs 0.9× the national benchmark for the field. Interdisciplinary Studies and Finance follow with 98 and 94 graduates respectively, earning $56,547 and $70,259 four years after enrollment.
Nursing and Communication and Media Studies round out the top programs, with graduates earning $84,470 and $56,388 respectively. This concentration in Business and related applied fields aligns with regional labor-market demand and contributes to the institution's solid long-term financial outcomes for graduates.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff Similar quality tier (#16366 ranked) | AR | 41% | $35,550 | #16366 | Compare |
South Dakota State University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#16372 ranked) | SD | 98% | $55,070 | #16372 | Compare |
University Of Northern Colorado Similar quality tier (#16901 ranked) | CO | 86% | $52,231 | #16901 | Compare |
Troy University Similar quality tier (#16908 ranked) | AL | 96% | $42,062 | #16908 | Compare |
Eastern Illinois University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#16941 ranked) | IL | 65% | $51,989 | #16941 | Compare |
Computer Engineering
30 graduates
Computer Science
39 graduates
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
16 graduates
Mechanical Engineering
34 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
88 graduates
Saint Cloud State University's program mix is anchored in Business, reflecting the institution's regional public-university identity. Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management is the largest program with 101 graduates, followed by Interdisciplinary Studies, Finance, Nursing, and Communication and Media Studies.
Across 54 programs serving roughly 1,591 students annually, the institution offers breadth in applied professional fields aligned with regional workforce demand. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in specific program families.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $84,470 four years after enrollment, followed by Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at $80,331, Finance at $70,259, Business Administration at $64,191, and Biology, General at $62,595. These programs reflect direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter regional and national labor markets immediately after completion, contributing to the institution's competitive earnings profile for a regional public university.
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management and Interdisciplinary Studies combine substantial cohort scale with solid earnings, anchoring the institution's economic footprint. The concentration in Business (representing 20% of graduates) and Education (representing 8% of graduates) positions Saint Cloud State as a pipeline for applied-professional careers in high-demand fields.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with regional and national labor-market trends.
