St. Cloud State University vs. Carroll University

Should I go to Saint Cloud State University or Carroll University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if St. Cloud State University or Carroll 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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Saint Cloud State University vs. Carroll University comparison
Saint Cloud State University Carroll University College 3 College 4
Saint Cloud State University
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Overview

St. Cloud State University Carroll University
Location Saint Cloud, MN Waukesha, WI
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 10,514 3,176
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #622 #530
Religious Affiliation - Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website stcloudstate.edu carrollu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

St. Cloud State University Carroll University
Tuition (In State) $8,811 $36,400
Tuition (Out of State) $8,811 $36,400
Room & Board $9,630 $13,340
Avg Net Price $14,648 $25,171
Avg Grant Aid $7,348 $24,766
% Receiving Grant Aid 74% 100%

Admission

St. Cloud State University Carroll University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,026 5,972
Admitted 4,772 3,488
Acceptance Rate 94.9% 58.4%
Enrolled % 18.8% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.39
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/25 22/28
SAT Range 970/1280 1050/1260
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 15, 2026

Academics

St. Cloud State University Carroll University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (12%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

St. Cloud State University Carroll University
Graduation Rate 48% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,700 $44,200
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $279

Diversity

St. Cloud State University Carroll University
% Men 8% 4%
% Women 12% 13%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 73% 83%
% Black 7% 1%
% Hispanic 3% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 7% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

St. Cloud State University Carroll University
% In-State 75% 66%
% Out-of-State 11% 30%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Saint Cloud State University is larger than than Carroll University based on total student enrollment (10,514 students vs. 3,176 students)

St. Cloud State University vs. Carroll University Cost Comparison

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

  • Carroll University is 313.1% more expensive to attend than St. Cloud State University for in-state tuition ($36,400.00 vs. $8,811.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 313.1% higher at Carroll University than Saint Cloud State University ($36,400.00 vs. $8,811.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Saint Cloud State University than Carroll University ($14,648 vs. $25,171)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Cloud State University are 38.5% lower than costs at Carroll University ($9,630 vs. $13,340)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Carroll University than Saint Cloud State University (100% vs. 74%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carroll University students is 237% larger than aid received Saint Cloud State University ($24,766 vs. $7,348)

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

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

  • The average SAT score at Carroll University (1087) is 57 points higher than at St. Cloud State University (1030)
  • Incoming Carroll University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at St. Cloud State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman St. Cloud State University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Carroll University (3.39)
  • St. Cloud State University has a higher acceptance rate (94.9%) than Carroll University (58.4%)

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

Which is better, St. Cloud State University or Carroll 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 Carroll University and St. Cloud State University.

  • The graduation rate at Carroll University is higher than Saint Cloud State University (57% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from Saint Cloud State University earn on average $2,500 more per year than Carroll University graduates after ten years. ($46,700 vs. $44,200)
  • Saint Cloud State University students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Carroll University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $27,000)
  • St. Cloud State University graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Carroll University graduates. ($232 vs. $279)
  • More Carroll University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Cloud State University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 67%)

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