Carleton College vs. Winona State University

Should I go to Carleton College or Winona State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Carleton College or Winona State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Carleton College vs. Winona State University comparison
Carleton College Winona State University College 3 College 4
Carleton College Winona State University
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Overview

Carleton College Winona State University
Location Northfield, MN Winona, MN
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 2,069 6,058
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #42 #528
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website carleton.edu winona.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Carleton College Winona State University
Tuition (In State) $65,043 $8,388
Tuition (Out of State) $65,043 $15,120
Room & Board $16,710 $9,924
Avg Net Price $29,434 $18,919
Avg Grant Aid $51,916 $4,499
% Receiving Grant Aid 57% 96%

Admission

Carleton College Winona State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,464 6,159
Admitted 1,440 4,220
Acceptance Rate 22.3% 68.5%
Enrolled % 37.4% 27.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.9 3.44
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Elite Moderate
Applicant Competition Very High Low
ACT Range 32/34 19/25
SAT Range 1430/1550 980/1250
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 Jan 15, 2026 Jul 1, 2026

Academics

Carleton College Winona State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 8:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • Physical Sciences (14%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Carleton College Winona State University
Graduation Rate 93% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $65,600 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 92% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $201 $248

Diversity

Carleton College Winona State University
% Men 1% 3%
% Women 1% 10%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 87%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 7% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 10% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Carleton College Winona State University
% In-State 21% 67%
% Out-of-State 67% 31%

Campus

Carleton College Winona State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Winona State University is larger than than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (6,058 students vs. 2,069 students)

Carleton College vs. Winona State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or Winona State University?

  • Carleton College is 675.4% more expensive to attend than Winona State University for in-state tuition ($65,043.00 vs. $8,388.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 330.2% higher at Carleton College than Winona State University ($65,043.00 vs. $15,120.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Winona State University than Carleton College ($18,919 vs. $29,434)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winona State University are 68.4% lower than costs at Carleton College ($9,924 vs. $16,710)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Winona State University than Carleton College (96% vs. 57%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 1,053.9% larger than aid received Winona State University ($51,916 vs. $4,499)

Carleton College vs. Winona State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carleton College or Winona State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Winona State University or Carleton College .

  • The average SAT score at Carleton College (1400) is 350 points higher than at Winona State University (1050)
  • Incoming Carleton College students have a 8 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at Winona State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Winona State University (3.44)
  • Winona State University has a higher acceptance rate (68.5%) than Carleton College (22.3%)

Carleton College vs. Winona State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Carleton College or Winona State University? 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 Winona State University and Carleton College.

  • The graduation rate at Carleton College is higher than Winona State University (93% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Carleton College earn on average $19,500 more per year than Winona State University graduates after ten years. ($65,600 vs. $46,100)
  • Carleton College students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Winona State University graduates. ($19,500 vs. $24,000)
  • Carleton College graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Winona State University graduates. ($201 vs. $248)
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Winona State University students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 75%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/