Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. St. Cloud State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Minnesota State University Mankato in Mankato, MN with Saint Cloud State University in Saint Cloud, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Minnesota State University Mankato is larger than St. Cloud State University based on total student enrollment (15,271 students vs. 10,732 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minnesota State University Mankato is located in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting); Saint Cloud State University is in Saint Cloud, MN (Small City setting).
• Minnesota State University Mankato is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Cloud State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minnesota State University Mankato 21:1; Saint Cloud State University 18:1.

Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. St. Cloud State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Minnesota State University-Mankato or St. Cloud State University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Saint Cloud State University than Minnesota State University-Mankato ($14,735 vs. $18,861).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Cloud State University are 14.7% lower than at Minnesota State University Mankato ($10,596 vs. $12,420).
• Saint Cloud State University is 7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Minnesota State University-Mankato (about $673 more per year; $10,245.00 vs. $9,572.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.9% higher at Minnesota State University-Mankato than at Saint Cloud State University (about $8,697 more per year; $18,942.00 vs. $10,245.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Cloud State University than at Minnesota State University Mankato (84% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Cloud State University students is 32.1% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Mankato students ($7,036 vs. $5,325).

Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. St. Cloud State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Minnesota State University-Mankato or St. Cloud State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between St. Cloud State University and Minnesota State University-Mankato.

• Incoming Minnesota State University-Mankato students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at St. Cloud State University (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSaint Cloud State University 1025/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minnesota State University Mankato 19/24; Saint Cloud State University 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Minnesota State University-Mankato - Test optional; St. Cloud State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St. Cloud State University Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Cloud State University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Minnesota State University-Mankato (3.37).
• St. Cloud State University has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Minnesota State University-Mankato (88.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.4% at Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. 16.6% at St. Cloud State University.

Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. St. Cloud State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Minnesota State University-Mankato and St. Cloud State University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Minnesota State University Mankato's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Saint Cloud State University's (48%).
• Graduates from Saint Cloud State University earn a median of about $400 more per year than Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,700 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Cloud State University graduates have a $75 lower median loan debt than Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates ($22,500 vs. $22,575).
• Among borrowers, St. Cloud State University graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates ($232 vs. $233).
• More Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Cloud State University students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 67%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.