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Saint Cloud State University vs Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University is a public university in Saint Cloud, MN, and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is a private university in Winona, MN. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is the more selective of the two, admitting about 93% of applicants against 95% at Saint Cloud State University. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $11,704 a year against $13,529 at Saint Cloud State University. About 67% of students graduate at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, compared with 44% at Saint Cloud State University. Ten years after enrolling, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota alumni earn a median of about $58,170, against $55,813 for Saint Cloud State University.

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN · Public

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Winona, MN · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Saint Cloud, MN
Winona, MN
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
5,088
1,073
Acceptance rate
95%
93%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.19–3.69
3.23–3.73
SAT (middle 50%)
1025–1260
1030–1196
ACT (middle 50%)
17–25
21–28
Test policy
Test optional
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$13,529
$11,704
Full cost / yr
$21,116
$57,380
In-state tuition
$10,245
$45,080
Out-of-state tuition
$10,245
$45,080
Application fee
Not reported
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$8,909
$16,182
$30k - $48k
$9,871
$15,175
$48k - $75k
$12,034
$15,030
$75k - $110k
$14,781
$14,771
Over $110k
$18,989
$6,135
Outcomes
Graduation rate
44%
67%
Freshman retention
71%
75%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$47,215
$54,549
Median earnings (10 yr)
$55,813
$58,170
Median debt at graduation
$21,058
$21,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
22%
25%
First-generation students
27%
26%
International students
14%
2%
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 Saint Cloud State University or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota harder to get into?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is harder to get into. It admits about 93% 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, Saint Cloud State University or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is cheaper on average. Students pay about $11,704 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $13,529 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.
What is the full cost of attendance at Saint Cloud State University and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?
Before aid, Saint Cloud State University costs about $21,116 a year and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota about $57,380. 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, Saint Cloud State University or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?
Saint Cloud State University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,909 there, against about $16,182 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Saint Cloud State University or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?
Saint Cloud State University is the larger of the two, with about 5,088 undergraduates against 1,073 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.
Does Saint Cloud State University or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota have a better graduation rate?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota has the higher graduation rate, at about 67% against 44% at Saint Cloud State University.
Do graduates of Saint Cloud State University or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota earn more?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota alumni earn more on average: a median of about $58,170 ten years after enrolling, against about $55,813 for Saint Cloud State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Saint Cloud State University and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota require SAT or ACT scores?
Saint Cloud State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
What SAT scores do Saint Cloud State University and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1025–1260 at Saint Cloud State University and 1030–1196 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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