IWU vs. Winona State University

Should I go to Illinois Wesleyan University or Winona State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if IWU 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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Illinois Wesleyan University vs. Winona State University comparison
Illinois Wesleyan University Winona State University College 3 College 4
Illinois Wesleyan University Winona State University
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Overview

IWU Winona State University
Location Bloomington, IL Winona, MN
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 1,527 6,154
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #144 #533
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website iwu.edu winona.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

IWU Winona State University
Tuition (In State) $53,610 $8,388
Tuition (Out of State) $53,610 $15,120
Room & Board $12,418 $9,654
Avg Net Price $30,096 $18,187
Avg Grant Aid $36,614 $5,017
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

IWU Winona State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,408 5,367
Admitted 1,861 3,958
Acceptance Rate 42.2% 73.7%
Enrolled % 20.5% 29.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.86 3.44
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 25/30 19/25
SAT Range 1120/1330 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

IWU Winona State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

IWU Winona State University
Graduation Rate 82% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,500 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $248

Diversity

IWU Winona State University
% Men 51% 30%
% Women 49% 70%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 71% 87%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 7% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 9% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

IWU Winona State University
% In-State 77% 67%
% Out-of-State 14% 31%

Campus

IWU 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 IWU based on total student enrollment (6,154 students vs. 1,527 students)

IWU vs. Winona State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Winona State University?

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is 539.1% more expensive to attend than Winona State University for in-state tuition ($53,610.00 vs. $8,388.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 254.6% higher at IWU than Winona State University ($53,610.00 vs. $15,120.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Winona State University than IWU ($18,187 vs. $30,096)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winona State University are 28.6% lower than costs at Illinois Wesleyan University ($9,654 vs. $12,418)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University than Winona State University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students is 629.8% larger than aid received Winona State University ($36,614 vs. $5,017)

IWU vs. Winona State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU 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 IWU .

  • The average SAT score at Illinois Wesleyan University (1249) is 199 points higher than at Winona State University (1050)
  • Incoming IWU students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Winona State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Winona State University (3.44)
  • Winona State University has a higher acceptance rate (73.7%) than IWU (42.2%)

IWU vs. Winona State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, IWU 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 IWU.

  • The graduation rate at IWU is higher than Winona State University (82% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn on average $14,400 more per year than Winona State University graduates after ten years. ($60,500 vs. $46,100)
  • Winona State University students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than IWU graduates. ($24,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Winona State University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than IWU graduates. ($248 vs. $279)
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Winona State University students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 75%)

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