Metropolitan State University vs. St. Cloud State University

Should I go to Metropolitan State University or Saint Cloud State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Metropolitan State University or St. Cloud State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Metropolitan State University vs. Saint Cloud State University comparison
Metropolitan State University Saint Cloud State University College 3 College 4
Metropolitan State University Saint Cloud State University
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Overview

Metropolitan State University St. Cloud State University
Location Saint Paul, MN Saint Cloud, MN
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 6,294 10,420
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #710
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website metrostate.edu stcloudstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Metropolitan State University St. Cloud State University
Tuition (In State) $8,571 $8,811
Tuition (Out of State) $8,571 $18,695
Room & Board $11,644 $9,950
Avg Net Price $19,347 $14,065
Avg Grant Aid $8,322 $6,042
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

Metropolitan State University St. Cloud State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 612 4,810
Admitted 500 4,583
Acceptance Rate 81.7% 95.3%
Enrolled % 26.2% 16.8%
Avg High School GPA - 3.4
Typical High School Grades - B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 1027/1200
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Metropolitan State University St. Cloud State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (33%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)

Outcomes

Metropolitan State University St. Cloud State University
Graduation Rate 29% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,200 $46,700
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,992 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $186 $232

Diversity

Metropolitan State University St. Cloud State University
% Men 42% 43%
% Women 58% 57%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 54% 73%
% Black 20% 7%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 2% 7%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Metropolitan State University St. Cloud State University
% In-State 99% 75%
% Out-of-State 1% 11%

Campus

Metropolitan State University St. Cloud State University
Campus Housing No Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Saint Cloud State University is larger than than Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (10,420 students vs. 6,294 students)

Metropolitan State University vs. St. Cloud State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University or St. Cloud State University?

  • Saint Cloud State University is 2.8% more expensive to attend than Metropolitan State University for in-state tuition ($8,811.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 118.1% higher at St. Cloud State University than Metropolitan State University ($18,695.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Saint Cloud State University than Metropolitan State University ($14,065 vs. $19,347)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Cloud State University are 17% lower than costs at Metropolitan State University ($9,950 vs. $11,644)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Metropolitan State University than Saint Cloud State University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University students is 37.7% larger than aid received Saint Cloud State University ($8,322 vs. $6,042)

Metropolitan State University vs. St. Cloud State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Metropolitan State University or St. Cloud State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between St. Cloud State University or Metropolitan State University .

  • St. Cloud State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than Metropolitan State University (81.7%)

Metropolitan State University vs. St. Cloud State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Metropolitan State University or St. Cloud State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between St. Cloud State University and Metropolitan State University.

  • The graduation rate at St. Cloud State University is higher than Metropolitan State University (48% vs. 29%)
  • Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn on average $2,500 more per year than St. Cloud State University graduates after ten years. ($49,200 vs. $46,700)
  • Metropolitan State University students graduate with a $4,508 lower median federal student loan debt than St. Cloud State University graduates. ($17,992 vs. $22,500)
  • Metropolitan State University graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than St. Cloud State University graduates. ($186 vs. $232)
  • More St. Cloud State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/