ISU vs. Winona State University

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

ISU Winona State University
Location Ames, IA Winona, MN
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 29,969 6,154
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #352 #533
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website iastate.edu winona.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ISU Winona State University
Tuition (In State) $8,678 $8,388
Tuition (Out of State) $25,162 $15,120
Room & Board $9,358 $9,654
Avg Net Price $15,310 $18,187
Avg Grant Aid $11,043 $5,017
% Receiving Grant Aid 80% 98%

Admission

ISU Winona State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 21,919 5,367
Admitted 19,776 3,958
Acceptance Rate 90.2% 73.7%
Enrolled % 29% 29.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.44
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/28 19/25
SAT Range 1090/1350 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

ISU Winona State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Engineering (17%)
  • Agriculture (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

ISU Winona State University
Graduation Rate 68% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,700 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,868 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $246 $248

Diversity

ISU Winona State University
% Men 55% 30%
% Women 45% 70%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 87%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 7% 3%
% Unknown Race 5% 1%

Students

ISU Winona State University
% In-State 52% 67%
% Out-of-State 45% 31%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Iowa State University is larger than than Winona State University based on total student enrollment (29,969 students vs. 6,154 students)

ISU vs. Winona State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Iowa State University is 3.5% more expensive to attend than Winona State University for in-state tuition ($8,678.00 vs. $8,388.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 66.4% higher at ISU than Winona State University ($25,162.00 vs. $15,120.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Iowa State University than Winona State University ($15,310 vs. $18,187)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 3.2% lower than costs at Winona State University ($9,358 vs. $9,654)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Winona State University than Iowa State University (98% vs. 80%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 120.1% larger than aid received Winona State University ($11,043 vs. $5,017)

ISU vs. Winona State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU 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 ISU .

  • The average SAT score at Iowa State University (1142) is 92 points higher than at Winona State University (1050)
  • Incoming ISU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Winona State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Winona State University (3.44)
  • ISU has a higher acceptance rate (90.2%) than Winona State University (73.7%)

ISU vs. Winona State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ISU 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 ISU.

  • The graduation rate at ISU is higher than Winona State University (68% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Iowa State University earn on average $7,600 more per year than Winona State University graduates after ten years. ($53,700 vs. $46,100)
  • Iowa State University students graduate with a $132 lower median federal student loan debt than Winona State University graduates. ($23,868 vs. $24,000)
  • ISU graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than Winona State University graduates. ($246 vs. $248)
  • More Winona State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 74%)

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