Northwestern College vs. Winona State University

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

Northwestern College Winona State University
Location Orange City, IA Winona, MN
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 1,651 6,154
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #638 #533
Religious Affiliation Reformed Church in America - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nwciowa.edu winona.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northwestern College Winona State University
Tuition (In State) $34,000 $8,388
Tuition (Out of State) $34,000 $15,120
Room & Board $10,200 $9,654
Avg Net Price $25,198 $18,187
Avg Grant Aid $22,228 $5,017
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

Northwestern College Winona State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,105 5,367
Admitted 965 3,958
Acceptance Rate 87.3% 73.7%
Enrolled % 29.8% 29.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/27 19/25
SAT Range 940/1240 1000/1270
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 1, 2025

Academics

Northwestern College Winona State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Northwestern College Winona State University
Graduation Rate 66% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 85% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,092 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $259 $248

Diversity

Northwestern College Winona State University
% Men 39% 30%
% Women 61% 70%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 87%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Northwestern College Winona State University
% In-State 55% 67%
% Out-of-State 42% 31%

Campus

Northwestern 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 Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (6,154 students vs. 1,651 students)

Northwestern College vs. Winona State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Northwestern College is 305.3% more expensive to attend than Winona State University for in-state tuition ($34,000.00 vs. $8,388.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 124.9% higher at Northwestern College than Winona State University ($34,000.00 vs. $15,120.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Winona State University than Northwestern College ($18,187 vs. $25,198)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winona State University are 5.7% lower than costs at Northwestern College ($9,654 vs. $10,200)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern College than Winona State University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 343.1% larger than aid received Winona State University ($22,228 vs. $5,017)

Northwestern College vs. Winona State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern 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 Northwestern College .

  • The average SAT score at Northwestern College (1141) is 91 points higher than at Winona State University (1050)
  • Incoming Northwestern College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Winona State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Winona State University (3.44)
  • Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (87.3%) than Winona State University (73.7%)

Northwestern College vs. Winona State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northwestern 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 Northwestern College.

  • The graduation rate at Northwestern College is higher than Winona State University (66% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Winona State University earn on average $7,700 more per year than Northwestern College graduates after ten years. ($46,100 vs. $38,400)
  • Winona State University students graduate with a $1,092 lower median federal student loan debt than Northwestern College graduates. ($24,000 vs. $25,092)
  • Winona State University graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Northwestern College graduates. ($248 vs. $259)
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Winona State University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 75%)

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