MSU Moorhead vs. Winona State University

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

MSU Moorhead Winona State University
Location Moorhead, MN Winona, MN
Setting Midsize Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 4,682 6,154
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #608 #533
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mnstate.edu winona.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

MSU Moorhead Winona State University
Tuition (In State) $8,838 $8,388
Tuition (Out of State) $17,674 $15,120
Room & Board $10,104 $9,654
Avg Net Price $17,939 $18,187
Avg Grant Aid $6,905 $5,017
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 98%

Admission

MSU Moorhead Winona State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,898 5,367
Admitted 2,207 3,958
Acceptance Rate 56.6% 73.7%
Enrolled % 28.6% 29.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 18/24 19/25
SAT Range 1080/1290 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

MSU Moorhead Winona State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

MSU Moorhead Winona State University
Graduation Rate 45% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,400 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,276 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $230 $248

Diversity

MSU Moorhead Winona State University
% Men 35% 30%
% Women 65% 70%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 78% 87%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 7% 3%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

MSU Moorhead Winona State University
% In-State 68% 67%
% Out-of-State 28% 31%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Winona State University is larger than than MSU Moorhead based on total student enrollment (6,154 students vs. 4,682 students)

MSU Moorhead vs. Winona State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU Moorhead or Winona State University?

  • Minnesota State University Moorhead is 5.4% more expensive to attend than Winona State University for in-state tuition ($8,838.00 vs. $8,388.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16.9% higher at MSU Moorhead than Winona State University ($17,674.00 vs. $15,120.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Minnesota State University Moorhead than Winona State University ($17,939 vs. $18,187)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winona State University are 4.7% lower than costs at Minnesota State University Moorhead ($9,654 vs. $10,104)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Winona State University than Minnesota State University Moorhead (98% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students is 37.6% larger than aid received Winona State University ($6,905 vs. $5,017)

MSU Moorhead vs. Winona State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU Moorhead 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 MSU Moorhead .

  • The average SAT score at Winona State University (1050) is 1 points higher than at MSU Moorhead (1049)
  • Incoming MSU Moorhead students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at Winona State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman MSU Moorhead students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Winona State University (3.44)
  • Winona State University has a higher acceptance rate (73.7%) than MSU Moorhead (56.6%)

MSU Moorhead vs. Winona State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MSU Moorhead 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 MSU Moorhead.

  • The graduation rate at Winona State University is higher than Minnesota State University Moorhead (54% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Winona State University earn on average $3,700 more per year than MSU Moorhead graduates after ten years. ($46,100 vs. $42,400)
  • Minnesota State University Moorhead students graduate with a $1,724 lower median federal student loan debt than Winona State University graduates. ($22,276 vs. $24,000)
  • MSU Moorhead graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than Winona State University graduates. ($230 vs. $248)
  • More Winona State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Moorhead students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 65%)

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