Michigan State vs. Winona State University

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

Michigan State Winona State University
Location East Lansing, MI Winona, MN
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 50,023 6,154
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #240 #533
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website msu.edu winona.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Michigan State Winona State University
Tuition (In State) $15,192 $8,388
Tuition (Out of State) $41,778 $15,120
Room & Board $10,990 $9,654
Avg Net Price $22,803 $18,187
Avg Grant Aid $8,684 $5,017
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 98%

Admission

Michigan State Winona State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 53,341 5,367
Admitted 46,914 3,958
Acceptance Rate 88% 73.7%
Enrolled % 21% 29.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.72 3.44
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/31 19/25
SAT Range 1160/1360 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

Michigan State Winona State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Michigan State Winona State University
Graduation Rate 77% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,000 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,484 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $263 $248

Diversity

Michigan State Winona State University
% Men 47% 30%
% Women 53% 70%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 87%
% Black 7% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 13% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Michigan State Winona State University
% In-State 71% 67%
% Out-of-State 21% 31%

Campus

Michigan State 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

  • Michigan State University is larger than than Winona State University based on total student enrollment (50,023 students vs. 6,154 students)

Michigan State vs. Winona State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Michigan State University is 81.1% more expensive to attend than Winona State University for in-state tuition ($15,192.00 vs. $8,388.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 176.3% higher at Michigan State than Winona State University ($41,778.00 vs. $15,120.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Winona State University than Michigan State ($18,187 vs. $22,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winona State University are 13.8% lower than costs at Michigan State University ($9,654 vs. $10,990)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Winona State University than Michigan State University (98% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Michigan State University students is 73.1% larger than aid received Winona State University ($8,684 vs. $5,017)

Michigan State vs. Winona State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan State 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 Michigan State .

  • The average SAT score at Michigan State University (1159) is 109 points higher than at Winona State University (1050)
  • Incoming Michigan State students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Winona State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Winona State University (3.44)
  • Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Winona State University (73.7%)

Michigan State vs. Winona State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Michigan State 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 Michigan State.

  • The graduation rate at Michigan State is higher than Winona State University (77% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Michigan State University earn on average $13,900 more per year than Winona State University graduates after ten years. ($60,000 vs. $46,100)
  • Winona State University students graduate with a $1,484 lower median federal student loan debt than Michigan State graduates. ($24,000 vs. $25,484)
  • Winona State University graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Michigan State graduates. ($248 vs. $263)
  • More Winona State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 68%)

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