Central College vs. Winona State University

Should I go to Central College or Winona State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Central 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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Central College vs. Winona State University comparison
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Central College Winona State University
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Overview

Central College Winona State University
Location Pella, IA Winona, MN
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 1,169 6,154
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #519 #533
Religious Affiliation Reformed Church in America - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website central.edu winona.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Central College Winona State University
Tuition (In State) $19,800 $8,388
Tuition (Out of State) $19,800 $15,120
Room & Board $10,860 $9,654
Avg Net Price $23,303 $18,187
Avg Grant Aid $10,999 $5,017
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

Central College Winona State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,970 5,367
Admitted 1,561 3,958
Acceptance Rate 79.2% 73.7%
Enrolled % 22.5% 29.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 19/25
SAT Range 1040/1218 1000/1270
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 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

Central College Winona State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Central College Winona State University
Graduation Rate 63% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,000 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $248

Diversity

Central College Winona State University
% Men 52% 30%
% Women 48% 70%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 87% 87%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Central College Winona State University
% In-State 73% 67%
% Out-of-State 26% 31%

Campus

Central College Winona State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No 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 Central College based on total student enrollment (6,154 students vs. 1,169 students)

Central College vs. Winona State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Central College is 136.1% more expensive to attend than Winona State University for in-state tuition ($19,800.00 vs. $8,388.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 31% higher at Central College than Winona State University ($19,800.00 vs. $15,120.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Winona State University than Central College ($18,187 vs. $23,303)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winona State University are 12.5% lower than costs at Central College ($9,654 vs. $10,860)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central College than Winona State University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 119.2% larger than aid received Winona State University ($10,999 vs. $5,017)

Central College vs. Winona State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central 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 Central College .

  • The average SAT score at Central College (1068) is 18 points higher than at Winona State University (1050)
  • Incoming Central College students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at Winona State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Winona State University (3.44)
  • Central College has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than Winona State University (73.7%)

Central College vs. Winona State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central 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 Central College.

  • The graduation rate at Central College is higher than Winona State University (63% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Central College earn on average $1,900 more per year than Winona State University graduates after ten years. ($48,000 vs. $46,100)
  • Winona State University students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Central College graduates. ($24,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Winona State University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Central College graduates. ($248 vs. $279)
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Winona State University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 75%)

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