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Minnesota State University-Mankato vs Saint Cloud State University

Minnesota State University-Mankato is a public university in Mankato, MN. Saint Cloud State University is a public university in Saint Cloud, MN. Minnesota State University-Mankato admits about 88% of applicants and Saint Cloud State University about 95%, making Minnesota State University-Mankato the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $13,529 a year at Saint Cloud State University after aid, and about $19,139 at Minnesota State University-Mankato. About 54% of students graduate at Minnesota State University-Mankato, compared with 44% at Saint Cloud State University. Ten years after enrolling, Minnesota State University-Mankato alumni earn a median of about $56,922, against $55,813 for Saint Cloud State University.

Minnesota State University-Mankato

Mankato, MN · Public

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Mankato, MN
Saint Cloud, MN
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
11,703
5,088
Acceptance rate
88%
95%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.31–3.81
3.19–3.69
SAT (middle 50%)
1040–1180
1025–1260
ACT (middle 50%)
21–25
17–25
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$19,139
$13,529
Full cost / yr
$23,995
$21,116
In-state tuition
$9,572
$10,245
Out-of-state tuition
$18,942
$10,245
Application fee
$20
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$12,339
$8,909
$30k - $48k
$12,750
$9,871
$48k - $75k
$15,137
$12,034
$75k - $110k
$18,921
$14,781
Over $110k
$22,798
$18,989
Outcomes
Graduation rate
54%
44%
Freshman retention
80%
71%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$50,098
$47,215
Median earnings (10 yr)
$56,922
$55,813
Median debt at graduation
$21,106
$21,058
Student body
Pell grant recipients
21%
22%
First-generation students
24%
27%
International students
9%
14%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Minnesota State University-Mankato or Saint Cloud State University harder to get into?
Minnesota State University-Mankato is harder to get into. It admits about 88% of applicants, compared with 95% at Saint Cloud State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Minnesota State University-Mankato or Saint Cloud State University?
Saint Cloud State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,529 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $19,139 at Minnesota State University-Mankato. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Minnesota State University-Mankato and Saint Cloud State University?
Before aid, Saint Cloud State University costs about $21,116 a year and Minnesota State University-Mankato about $23,995. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Minnesota State University-Mankato or Saint Cloud State University?
Saint Cloud State University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,909 there, against about $12,339 at Minnesota State University-Mankato. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Minnesota State University-Mankato or Saint Cloud State University?
Minnesota State University-Mankato is the larger of the two, with about 11,703 undergraduates against 5,088 at Saint Cloud State University.
Does Minnesota State University-Mankato or Saint Cloud State University have a better graduation rate?
Minnesota State University-Mankato has the higher graduation rate, at about 54% against 44% at Saint Cloud State University.
Do graduates of Minnesota State University-Mankato or Saint Cloud State University earn more?
Minnesota State University-Mankato alumni earn more on average: a median of about $56,922 ten years after enrolling, against about $55,813 for Saint Cloud State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Minnesota State University-Mankato and Saint Cloud State University require SAT or ACT scores?
Minnesota State University-Mankato is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Saint Cloud State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Minnesota State University-Mankato and Saint Cloud State University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1040–1180 at Minnesota State University-Mankato and 1025–1260 at Saint Cloud State University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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