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.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $21,116 |
| Tuition and Fees | $10,245 |
| Room and Board | $10,596 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,400 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$7,587 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $13,529 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $8,909 |
| $30–48k | $9,871 |
| $48–75k | $12,034 |
| $75–110k | $14,781 |
| $110k+ | $18,989 |
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 .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
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 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.
