St. Cloud State is one of the largest public universities in Minnesota with more than 14,000 students. The university is located about an hour northwest of Minneapolis, along the oak-crowned west bank of the Mississippi River.

The 100-acre campus is between downtown St. Cloud and the Beaver Islands, a group of more than 30 islands that form a natural maze for a two-mile stretch of the river. The St. Cloud metropolitan area is 24th on Forbes magazine's “Best Small Places for Businesses and Careers." St. Cloud State is ranked in Forbes magazine's "America's Top Colleges."  

St. Cloud State’s undergraduate programs hold nearly every available national accreditation. Students choose from more than 200 majors, minors and pre-professional programs, including regional rarities such as meteorology and geographic information systems.

The School of Graduate Studies offers more than 60 programs, including doctoral degrees in Higher Education Administration and Educational Administration and Leadership, as well as a Master of Business Administration from the acclaimed Herberger Business School.

Master's degrees in regulatory affairs and services, applied clinical research and medical technology quality tap a growing demand for professionals who can lead medical device companies through Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and international regulatory processes. Minnesota is home to more than 480 FDA-approved medical device manufacturers. Minnesota companies registered nearly 2,220 medical device patents between 2005 and 2009, second among the states.

The University's accomplishments, awards, accolades and extraordinary faculty and alumni are catalogued in the Distinctions website.

Founded in 1869 as a state normal school, St. Cloud State has evolved into a comprehensive university with all the institutions that make college life exciting: events and activities, art galleries, theatre, about 250 clubs and organizations, NCAA athletics, club sports, intramurals, indoor recreation opportunities and outdoor pursuits. The campus nerve center is our library.

By the Numbers

• Fall 2018 enrollment was 13,467 students, including 1,786 graduate students.
• The University's 2011 regional economic impact was $519 million and 6,579 jobs.
• The Bridges is a scenic 2.72-mile exercise route.
• Region's definitive economic analysis authored here quarterly.
• Hundreds of courses offered online each semester.
• Robbyn Wacker is our 24th president.
• The University’s first building was purchased in 1869 for $3,000.
• Herb Brooks National Hockey Center's Section 108 hosts college hockey's fiercest fans.
• Noted economists have spoken at the Winter Institute for more than 50 years.