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ISU Minnesota University of Minnesota-Duluth Minnesota State University-Mankato MSU Moorhead University of North Dakota South Dakota State University Concordia College at Moorhead South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Winona State University Iowa University of St Thomas| Saint Cloud State University | North Dakota State University Main Campus | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
St. Cloud State University | NDSU | ||
| Location | Saint Cloud, MN | Fargo, ND | ||
| Setting | Small City | Midsize City | ||
| Enrollment | 10,420 | 12,242 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #710 | #568 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | stcloudstate.edu | ndsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
St. Cloud State University | NDSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $8,811 | $9,309 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $18,695 | $13,963 | ||
| Room & Board | $9,950 | $9,300 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $14,065 | $15,962 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $6,042 | $5,732 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 77% |
Admission |
St. Cloud State University | NDSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 4,810 | 8,535 | ||
| Admitted | 4,583 | 8,166 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 95.3% | 95.7% | ||
| Enrolled % | 16.8% | 30.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.4 | 3.53 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 18/24 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 1027/1200 | 968/1216 | ||
| 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, 2025 | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
St. Cloud State University | NDSU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
St. Cloud State University | NDSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 48% | 54% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $46,700 | $53,600 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 67% | 81% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $22,500 | $23,300 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $232 | $240 |
Diversity |
St. Cloud State University | NDSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 43% | 49% | ||
| % Women | 57% | 51% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 73% | 86% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 2% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 2% | ||
| % International | 7% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 2% |
Students |
St. Cloud State University | NDSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 75% | 35% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 11% | 65% | ||
Campus |
St. Cloud State University | NDSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- North Dakota State University Main Campus is larger than than St. Cloud State University based on total student enrollment (12,242 students vs. 10,420 students)
St. Cloud State University vs. NDSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, St. Cloud State University or NDSU?
- North Dakota State University Main Campus is 5.7% more expensive to attend than St. Cloud State University for in-state tuition ($9,309.00 vs. $8,811.00)
- Out of state tuition is 33.9% higher at St. Cloud State University than North Dakota State University Main Campus ($18,695.00 vs. $13,963.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Saint Cloud State University than NDSU ($14,065 vs. $15,962)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Dakota State University Main Campus are 7% lower than costs at Saint Cloud State University ($9,300 vs. $9,950)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Saint Cloud State University than North Dakota State University Main Campus (98% vs. 77%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Cloud State University students is 5.4% larger than aid received North Dakota State University Main Campus ($6,042 vs. $5,732)
St. Cloud State University vs. NDSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, St. Cloud State University or NDSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NDSU or St. Cloud State University .
- The average SAT score at North Dakota State University Main Campus (1091) is 61 points higher than at St. Cloud State University (1030)
- Incoming NDSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at St. Cloud State University (22)
- Accepted freshman NDSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at St. Cloud State University (3.4)
- NDSU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than St. Cloud State University (95.3%)
St. Cloud State University vs. NDSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, St. Cloud State University or NDSU? 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 NDSU and St. Cloud State University.
- The graduation rate at NDSU is higher than Saint Cloud State University (54% vs. 48%)
- Graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn on average $6,900 more per year than St. Cloud State University graduates after ten years. ($53,600 vs. $46,700)
- Saint Cloud State University students graduate with a $800 lower median federal student loan debt than NDSU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $23,300)
- St. Cloud State University graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than NDSU graduates. ($232 vs. $240)
- More NDSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Cloud State University students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 67%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/