St. Cloud State University

In 2022, tuition for full-time St Cloud State University students was $8,812 a year for in-state students and $18,696 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If these numbers sound impossible, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students owe far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. And, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay for college more manageable until you're done with college.

International students can expect to pay 18,696 per year for tuition at St. Cloud State University.

St. Cloud State University meets 79.9% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at St. Cloud State University is around $14,914 a year.

Students in the class of 2023 who had taken out student loans graduated with an average of $29,135 of debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $8,812 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time.Non-Minnesota residents can expect to pay 18,696 per year for tuition.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to verify your state's guidelines for how to qualify for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Minnesota colleges

Tuition for International Students at St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at St. Cloud State University usually pay around $18,696 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or school-specific aid and scholarships.

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St. Cloud State University Room, Board, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at St. Cloud State University.

Room and Board Costs at St. Cloud State University

Room and board at St. Cloud State University is $9,860 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that allows you to eat in the school dining halls.

Meal-plan costs can depend on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at St. Cloud State University

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools have resources for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Transportation costs

The total cost of transportation in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use public transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your transportation budget. At St. Cloud State University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in an urban area might be costly, but there may be more trains, busses and affordable flights to actually get to school. The St. Cloud State University campus is in a suburb in Minnesota, not far from Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, don’t forget to factor in personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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The Full Cost of Attending St. Cloud State University

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better idea of what is really costs to go to St. Cloud State University.

How Much Does St. Cloud State University Cost?

What will the cost of attending St. Cloud State University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$8,812
Out-of-State Tuition	$18,696
Room and Board	$9,860
Other expenses	$1,350

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at St. Cloud State University

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In 2023, 2,127 of the 8,581 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. St. Cloud State University meets 79.9% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $14,914 a year. Around 58% of St. Cloud State University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. St. Cloud State University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $29,135 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$22,442
State Loans	$17,890
Private Loans	$19,471

Most Common Loans for St. Cloud State University Students
Federal Loans	57%
State loans	8%
Private loans	13%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on St. Cloud State University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at St. Cloud State University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, St. Cloud State University awarded 2,011 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $26.1 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $15.48 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of St. Cloud State University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for St. Cloud State University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at St. Cloud State University was $14,914 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of St. Cloud State University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-7,100
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-3,396
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$17,698

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending St. Cloud State University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the St. Cloud State University's net cost calculator on their website.

St. Cloud State University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

St Cloud State University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

St. Cloud State University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of St. Cloud State University's endowment was $24.7 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. The school spends $7,195 for each full-time student enrolled.

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Learn More About St. Cloud State University

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