Lake Forest College vs. Winona State University

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

Lake Forest College Winona State University
Location Lake Forest, IL Winona, MN
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 1,753 6,154
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #267 #533
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lakeforest.edu winona.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Lake Forest College Winona State University
Tuition (In State) $52,000 $8,388
Tuition (Out of State) $52,000 $15,120
Room & Board $11,898 $9,654
Avg Net Price $27,839 $18,187
Avg Grant Aid $37,907 $5,017
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

Lake Forest College Winona State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,665 5,367
Admitted 2,786 3,958
Acceptance Rate 59.7% 73.7%
Enrolled % 16% 29.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.62 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 26/31 19/25
SAT Range 1153/1340 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 Feb 15, 2025 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

Lake Forest College Winona State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (27%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Foreign Languages (8%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Lake Forest College Winona State University
Graduation Rate 68% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,800 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $248

Diversity

Lake Forest College Winona State University
% Men 41% 30%
% Women 59% 70%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 58% 87%
% Black 7% 2%
% Hispanic 17% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 8% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Lake Forest College Winona State University
% In-State 48% 67%
% Out-of-State 52% 31%

Campus

Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest College based on total student enrollment (6,154 students vs. 1,753 students)

Lake Forest College vs. Winona State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Lake Forest College is 519.9% more expensive to attend than Winona State University for in-state tuition ($52,000.00 vs. $8,388.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 243.9% higher at Lake Forest College than Winona State University ($52,000.00 vs. $15,120.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Winona State University than Lake Forest College ($18,187 vs. $27,839)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winona State University are 23.2% lower than costs at Lake Forest College ($9,654 vs. $11,898)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lake Forest College than Winona State University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 655.6% larger than aid received Winona State University ($37,907 vs. $5,017)

Lake Forest College vs. Winona State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest College .

  • Accepted freshman Lake Forest College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Winona State University (3.44)
  • Winona State University has a higher acceptance rate (73.7%) than Lake Forest College (59.7%)

Lake Forest College vs. Winona State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest College.

  • The graduation rate at Lake Forest College is higher than Winona State University (68% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Lake Forest College earn on average $7,700 more per year than Winona State University graduates after ten years. ($53,800 vs. $46,100)
  • Winona State University students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Lake Forest College graduates. ($24,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Winona State University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Lake Forest College graduates. ($248 vs. $279)
  • More Lake Forest 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/